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> I find the idea that you can label a group as "black" and imagine it to be both descriptive and homegenous enough... No, the whole distinction of black is da

> I find the idea that you can label a group as "black" and imagine it to be both descriptive and homegenous enough... No, the whole distinction of black is dark skin colour, which is a proxy for skin melanin, which is (far as I'm aware) the primary factor determining vitamin D production from sun exposure (which is not directly useful in the body, but is the form that is often measured). Also, because of the effect on vitamin D production from sun exposure, there is some evidence that other aspects of how vitamin D is handled by the body are different for people with darker skin, maybe because their ancestors got more than enough of it. This isn't even about social categories “Black” and “White”, it is literally about the direct correlates of skin colour.

singemonkey 6y ago
I mean, black and dark skin colour are overlapping sets, but the word black doesn't define everyone with dark(er) skin. If you mean darker skin (darker than what???) then use that term. Accuracy is important.
kipchak 6y ago
>This isn't even about social categories “Black” and “White”, it is literally about the direct correlates of skin colour. To expand upon this according to an ONS study "Blacks" in England and whales had a 1.9 times higher rate of dying compared to "Whites" after socioeconomic controls, while Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups were 1.6 times more likely.[1] This makes sense if you figure lighter skin was a evolved trait for those in latitudes that got less sun. [2] [1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/coronavirusrelateddeathsbyethnicgroupenglandandwales/2march2020to10april2020 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsde... [2]https://www.pnas.org/content/107/Supplement_2/8962 https://www.pnas.org/content/107/Supplement_2/8962
- secondcoming 6y ago
  Whales?
  - Bud 6y ago
    Let's assume that was just a particularly hilarious typo for "Wales".
    - kipchak 6y ago
      Indeed, though thinking about it people living in "whales" would probably have low vitamin D levels as well.
      - umanwizard 6y ago
        I spent about 3 seconds wondering why in the world you were talking about whale vitamin-D levels, and thinking it was vaguely offensive that you were comparing ethnic/racial groups of humans to marine mammals. Then I remembered that Wales exists :)

singemonkey 6y ago

I mean, black and dark skin colour are overlapping sets, but the word black doesn't define everyone with dark(er) skin. If you mean darker skin (darker than what???) then use that term. Accuracy is important.

kipchak 6y ago

>This isn't even about social categories “Black” and “White”, it is literally about the direct correlates of skin colour. To expand upon this according to an ONS study "Blacks" in England and whales had a 1.9 times higher rate of dying compared to "Whites" after socioeconomic controls, while Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups were 1.6 times more likely.[1] This makes sense if you figure lighter skin was a evolved trait for those in latitudes that got less sun. [2] [1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/coronavirusrelateddeathsbyethnicgroupenglandandwales/2march2020to10april2020 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsde... [2]https://www.pnas.org/content/107/Supplement_2/8962 https://www.pnas.org/content/107/Supplement_2/8962

secondcoming 6y ago
Whales?
- Bud 6y ago
  Let's assume that was just a particularly hilarious typo for "Wales".
  - kipchak 6y ago
    Indeed, though thinking about it people living in "whales" would probably have low vitamin D levels as well.
    - umanwizard 6y ago
      I spent about 3 seconds wondering why in the world you were talking about whale vitamin-D levels, and thinking it was vaguely offensive that you were comparing ethnic/racial groups of humans to marine mammals. Then I remembered that Wales exists :)