Post 5: How Our Skins Got Their Color

Marvin Harris 
How Our Skins Got Their Color 
Marvin Harris, "How Our Skins Got Their 
Color" from Our Kind: Who We Are, Where We 
Came from and Where We Are Going, pp. 112-114

One came blame different shades of skin on the existence molecular particles called melanin. It main responsibility is to safeguard the more exposed lays of skin from being harmed by the suns ultraviolet rays. This type of radiation its a potentially a very large threat for our species because we don't have a thick layer of fur to act as sunscreen would, which is something that is found in most mammals. This lack of hair causes us to be susceptible to different kinds of sun related radiation perils. Most get the common sunburn, which can cause rashes, blisters and risk of infection; and skin cancers, including malignant melanoma, one of the deadliest diseases known. Because melanin is the body's defense mechanism against sun related illness, the most melanin one has, the darker their skin will be, and the lower their risk for all skin cancers. Which would explain why the topmost rates for skin cancer are found sun-rich area where the inhabitants are of European decent or have a lighter complexion. Very dark-skinned people such as heavily pigmented Africans of Zaire seldom get skin cancer, but when they do, they get it on depigmented parts of their bodies palms and lips.