I have a new post at her.meneutics about the spiritual significance of Williams Syndrome. It is called “The Anti-Racist, Anti-Fear Gene.” Incidentally, the title is somewhat misleading as Williams Syndrome involves the absence of certain genes, but that’s somewhat beside the point.

Over the past month, NPR has addressed various aspects of Williams syndrome, a rare chromosomal condition in which a series of genes on one chromosome has been deleted.Williams syndrome (also Williams–Beuren syndrome, or WBS) is characterized by learning disabilities and cognitive delays, small physical stature and features, a love for music, and a high degree of sociability and trust of other people, including strangers. One NPR report, “Is There an Anti-Racism Gene?” highlighted the fact that people with Williams Syndrome do not share most people’s tendency to discriminate against others of different racial backgrounds. A second report, “A Life without Fear,” focused on a family in California with a daughter with Williams, Isabelle. It mentioned that Isabelle is “pathologically trusting” and that it is “biologically impossible for her to distrust” other people. A third explored the social alienation experienced, sadly and ironically, by many persons with Williams in spite of their innately deep love for other people.