Slap me some skin, brother. 2/26/22
Teachers, what is your go to when teaching evolution or natural selection? I think most of us at some point use the example of the peppered moths. That is a good example, but I have recently become aware of what I consider to be an even better one. Skin. The news of ‘wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer’, and ‘get outside to get your vitamin D’ is widespread, but did you know that it is rooted in the evolution of skin color? I didn’t, until I read a paper and watched a lecture by Nina Jablonski. Her research was partially inspired by a photography project by Angelica Dass called Humanae ( https://angelicadass.com/public-speaking/ted-the-beauty-of-human-skin-in-every-color-vancouver-canada/ ). Skin color is not a set of colors with discrete boundaries between each race. In fact, I would say race doesn’t really exist. Skin color is a continuum of shades and tones and so completely beautiful you might need a tissue. ...