Albert Einstein’s Diaries Reveal a Slew of Racist Remarks

Albert Einstein’s Diaries Reveal a Slew of Racist Remarks The world-renowned physicists’ diaries were translated and published in the Princeton University Press, revealing his discriminatory views on Chinese people. While traveling to East Asia in 1922 and 1923, Einstein described Chinese people as “industrious, filthy, obtuse people.” “It would be a pity if these Chinese supplant all other races. For the likes of us the mere thought is unspeakably dreary.” He also complained about the “natives” being “intrusive” and “primitive” and called them “rickshaw coolies.” The candid nature of the diary entries contradicts his work as a humanitarian around the world and his opposition to segregation and ethnic discrimination. Archivist and historian Ze’ev Rosenkraz translated the texts and told The Guardian… “I think it's quite a shock to read those and contrast them with his more public statements. They're more off guard, he didn't intend them for publication.”