The Evolution and Meanings of Human Skin Color | Nina Jablonski

Variation in human skin color has fascinated and perplexed people for centuries. As the most visible aspect of human variation, skin color has been used in the past as a basis for classifying people into “races.” In this lecture, Leakey Foundation grantee Nina Jablonski discusses the evolution of human skin color and how color-based race concepts have influenced societies and impacted social well-being.

"The Evolution and Meanings of Human Skin Color" was presented at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on September 27, 2018, as part of The Leakey Foundation's Speaker Series program in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Sponsored by:
Ann and Gordon Getty
Camilla and George Smith
The Brown Foundation, Inc.

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[stacy]

I’m just a regular lay person that happened upon this….it’s SUPER interesting and particularly so because of how it’s presented…it’s extremely obvious that you, madam lecturer, are intensely excited about the subject and you make it clear, interesting and even entertaining to listen…thank you so much!

[dannylavoy]

Even someone with limited science background, such as myself could follow and become engrossed in the topic. Superlative!

[NGC]

This’s why education is a must for humans. So much prejudices would just vanish if we were more educated. Only education can save us from ourselves. Beautiful lecture.

[OneOfUsHere]

My science teacher showed her 3rd to 6th grade students many progressive ideas. After I learned about this skin color it led me to take on a personal philosophy of "We're all the same under our skin." Thank you for sharing your hard work.

[burlingtonpark]

This woman is a brilliant teacher.I loved taking her tour through hominid history.I thought her treatment of Kant was quite fair and balanced.Evolutionary Biology really rocks when this lady sings!

[burnylowe-miller]

Awesome. This information should be required in all schools. We are more alike. Period.

[thesjkexperience]

Thank you! I’ve wanted to know this for 50 years. I’m of Norse heritage and have supplemented with Vit D for years during the dark half of the year and feel so much better. Just fascinating.

[dianewhalen]

This should be taught in all education systems.What a huge deconstruction of thinking and rethinking about skin color!Thank you so much for this lecture.

[jamesschneider]

Outstanding lecture. Professor Jablonski skillfully shows us that the science of evolutionary biology is education which works to unite . . . as opposed to divide humanity.

[scottherod]

This is so fascinating!! As black people, my parents and I often expressed an inquisitiveness and had intense discussions about how and from where varieties of pigmentation were derived throughout human history around the globe. I love how Dr. Jablonski explains this complex phenomena in terms that any layperson can understand, and with so much enthusiasm and passion about her subject.

[BananaCake]

Wonderful, knowledgable speaker. What I appreciated most is that all this knowledge was connected via the cooperation of different scientific disciplines, from anthropology, genetics to geography.

[charmaineclayton]

What a clear and interesting lecture. She is clear, and she backs it up with respectful research.

[alanmcneill]

It is sad that we still have people that will refute scientific analysis and cling to the Hume;Kant perspectives. Some people will always refuse to believe science and the statements this inteligent and compassionate lady has well verified. So, it is so very true, we must educate our small children about these facts, and the history of our "Founding fathers" needs to be told.. Thank you for the fine presentation and your continued work!!

[jahguide]

You are who we needed to lecture us with this magnificent work. IM PROUD OF YOU. Thank you

[mariacoronel]

Masterfully explained. I have been interested in genetics, human adaptation abilities, skin color, etc. She is so good at transferring her knowledge of these topics. Great master class!

[africanhistory]

She went after Hume and Kant, and showed them for what they really were. What a profound presentation.

[BloobleBonker]

Absolutely fantastic presentation. For sure the vitamin d issue is key. As a physicist I was taught that thermodynamics also is a factor. Light skin helps us radiate less heat in the cold north while dark skin helps people get rid of heat in the tropics (provided they aren't mad dogs and englishmen going out in the midday sun!)

[keep-ukraine-free]

This talk is such a gem, for its simple and clear explanations!

Dr. Jablonski explains the science so well, making it fully engaging. She explains an area of our shared humanity, clearing the nonsensical ideas of race and racism. There's only one human race - and it's beautiful.

[teddibeard]

It’s rare for me to stick with a video due to attention span & (dis)interest level. Happy to say that this wonderful teacher had me hooked the whole way through and I learned so much! I’m grateful for this video.

[errollwalker]

Great lecture! This needs to be added to our children’s curriculum!