Abstract
While skin color represents one of the most common markers of humans, the theories that explain it remain largely unknown both in academia and industry. Meanwhile, fraught with theoretical shortcomings about skin color, as clear from its body of knowledge, racial studies has not addressed skin color with needed attention. Consequently, misconceptions about human skin color have proliferated. This paper discusses anew Gloger’s theory and its widespread impact in the social sciences and general public. Gloger explained dark skin by heat. Not surprisingly, dark skin is believed to be the product of and response to ultra violet radiation in Equatorial Africa. One reason might be the fixation of the debate on the white-black binary. Another reason might be the commonplace belief about the African heat. The present paper calls into question the Equator-Africa presentation of black skin. To this end, the paper situates the debate in the broader spectrum of social science disciplines, and investigates the ways in which black skin is presented. The paper advocates for the consideration of skin complexity and of minorities in the field of skin color. The goal is to work toward a deeper understanding of others and their traits, with a view to raise awareness among policy makers, the general public, and social science experts. The paper takes an encyclopedic approach to best cater to these audiences.
Highlights
In various parts of the world, race and related concepts assure the cohesion, interaction, and promotion of nations and communities, but they lead to the exclusion and as has been the case several times, extermination of individuals and their properties
This paper focuses on the Equator-skin color theory since this theory is applied most and commonly to Africa
In light of various scientific materials, the argument of dark skin color induced by UV in Equatorial Africa proves to be weak
Summary
In various parts of the world, race and related concepts (e.g., skin color, ethnicity, culture, history, etc.) assure the cohesion, interaction, and promotion of nations and communities, but they lead to the exclusion and as has been the case several times, extermination of individuals and their properties. Despite available knowledge and better-equipped research tools, Africa has been almost irreversibly considered as the hottest, most humid, and sunniest place on earth, all of which has obscured the located exactly on the Equator, Waialeale (22oN) and understanding of the skin color of Africans.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
