Skin Color and Its Orgin

1.) In the first reading, How Our Skins Got Their Color, it explains a lot about how Vitamin D, calcium, and melanin, are in relationship with contracting skin cancer and other related illnesses. Lighter skin shades are more likely to contract a skin disease simply because they have less pigment and melanin. The essential role of melanin is to protect the upper levels of the skin from being damaged by the suns ultraviolet rays. This also goes to prove why the reading stated that both “white is beautiful because white is healthy,” and,” black is beautiful because black is healthy.” This is probably said because, first off, it is the norm. Anything viewed as being the norm would be considered to be good and “healthy” to that community. In Africa, darker skin is what is seen most. It is carved into the heritage of African people that darker skin is beautiful. It is also healthier due to the close distance from the sun. In Europe, darker skin people would not be seen as beautiful and healthy, because it would not be the norm. Lighter skinned people are the norm, and due to its colder weather conditions, lighter skin would also be seen as healthier.

2.) In 1619, the Virginian settlers were anxious for labor. They needed food to eat, and crops to sell. This was the results of the 1609-1610 winters, also known as the starving time. People were going insane looking for food to eat and thing to sell