Racism: 101- Part 2

So, do we have a new race?

Sometimes there are some things that we need to STOP teaching our kids and racism is one of them.

Here is what we should be teaching them: (With a little help from Wikipedia)

anatomically modern-appearing humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago, reaching full behavioral modernity around 50,000 years ago.

Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving. Other higher-level thought processes of humans, such as self-awareness, rationality, and sapience, are considered to be defining features of what constitutes a “person”.

Like most higher primates, humans are social animals. However, humans are uniquely adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization.

Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families to nations. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of human society.

With individuals widespread in every continent except Antarctica, humans are a cosmopolitan species. As of January 2013 the population of humans was estimated to be a little over 7 billion.

Humans are noted for their desire to understand and influence their environment, seeking to explain and manipulate phenomena through science, philosophy, mythology, and religion. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills, which are passed down culturally; humans are the only species known to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies

The hue of human skin and hair is determined by the presence of pigments called melanins. Human skin hues can range from very dark brown to very pale pink. Human hair ranges from white to brown to red to most commonly black. This depends on the amount of melanin (an effective sun blocking pigment) in the skin and hair.

Most researchers believe that skin darkening was an adaptation that evolved as a protection against ultraviolet solar radiation. However, more recently it has been argued that particular skin colors are an adaptation to balance folate, (a B vitamin) which is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, and vitamin D, which requires sunlight to form.

The skin pigmentation of contemporary humans is geographically stratified, and in general correlates with the level of ultraviolet radiation. Human skin also has a capacity to darken (sun tanning) in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Put succinctly human beings are creatures all of one species whose skin comes in a few colors of which there are many shades depending upon their prolonged relationship with the sun. (and with each other I might add)

They also can think, socialize and create, sometimes unfortunately and with great misfortune, to their own detriment. And that, like it or not, is about as different as we get!