Everyone Is African: How Science Explodes the Myth of Race

by Daniel J. Fairbanks

What does science say about race? In this book a distinguished research geneticist presents abundant evidence showing that traditional notions about distinct racial differences have little scientific foundation.In short, racism is not just morally wrong; it has no basis in fact.The author lucidly describes in detail the factors that have led to the current scientific consensus about race. Both geneticists and anthropologists now generally agree that the human species originated in sub-Saharan Africa and darkly pigmented skin was the ancestral state of humanity. Moreover, worldwide human diversity is so complex that discrete races cannot be genetically defined. And for individuals, ancestry is more scientifically meaningful than race.Separate chapters are devoted to controversial skin color and the scientific reasons for the differences; why ancestry is more important to individual health than race; intelligence and human diversity; and evolutionary perspectives on the persistence of racism.This is an enlightening book that goes a long way toward dispelling the irrational notions at the heart of racism.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Race, History, Cultural, Evolution, Society

191 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This genetics book was absolutely phenomenal! The author repeatedly demonstrated through quantifiable, scientific advances in genetics that our similarities vastly outnumber our genetic differences. Continually proving that race is purely a social construct, I learned SO much not only about genetic evolution but about the recent genetic research taking place all over the world. This book was published in 2015, just as the “do-it-yourself” DNA kits were becoming popular. I would love to have Mr. Fairbanks update his prior knowledge with new research data. Genetics is so incredibly exciting and this book was academic without being dauntingly inaccessible. Finally, if this book sounds at all interesting to you, please, please, please watch the amazing PBS documentary, “The Journey of Man.” It completely mesmerized me in a million ways and I think it is such an important film for every human being.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mostly about the flood of recent DNA evidence in support of the single-origin hypothesis for the human race. What seems to be true now is that anatomically modern humans lived in sub-Sahara Africa as far back as 200,000 years or so and started to emigrate out about 60,000 to 70,000 years ago, eventually filling up the world. The message of the book is that every human in the world can trace his or her ancestry back to sub-Sahara Africa.

During the migration, as time passed and people moved into different environments, evolutionary forces (random mutations in their DNA) changed them. The book discusses several of these variations, sometimes even showing ancestral and recent DNA sequences.

One of the most prominent changes the book discusses is pigmentation of eyes, skin, and hair. In areas with intense sunlight, high pigmentation is beneficial by preventing UV degradation of folate – essential for fetal development. But when people reached northern Europe about 20,000 years ago high pigmentation hindered vitamin D production, resulting in rickets, especially affecting pregnant women. The DNA variant for light pigmentation became more beneficial.

The story of human migrations and genetic changes is really an epic.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I've never considered myself a racist, I've read enough to understand that most people have some underlying racial prejudices whether they recognize them or not. I think anything we can do to reduce these are good. I found the genetics and anthropology contained within this book to be very interesting. To me the author seemed to assert that the science contained within the book could not coexist with religion, I disagree with this assertion, as I found nothing contained within the pages that couldn't be reconciled with my faith. I also felt that the authors view of the prevalence of the notion of white supremacy present today was vastly over estimated. I hope that I am right and that the rate of people who hold such feelings are much lower than the author seemed to believe they are.

[Dallin Kohler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, we're all Africans. Us Homo sapiens have more in common than not, and this book explains simply and methodically the science behind it. Good read (unless you were hoping science was going to let you keep clinging to notions of racial superiority!).

[Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people know, I think, that humans originated in Africa, so the title of this book and its fundamental message won't be news. However, that knowledge is a long way from connecting the dots of migration and natural selection to get where we are today, some 200,000 years later, and that's what's so wonderful about this book. At its heart, the book is making the point that there is biological basis for race--that people of all skin colors are basically cousins--and that race is largely a story of historical immigration. Along the way, it debunks the case (again) made by some that there is a difference in intelligence among the races (which was argued in The Bell Curve, a book that I tried and failed to read when it came out years ago).

One thing I wish the book did better is to present the reason for the occurrence of genetic variants (mutations) that are then either winners or losers in the natural selection lottery. I get why some variants succeed and others don't, but why do they arise in the first place?

Overall, though, it's a fascinating read.

[Creativemf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The noted anthropologist Carlton Coon (yes, real name) beat Fairbanks to the punch, w #RacialAdaptations. Much more fun w the topic, methinks...

[Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes it very clear that there is no such thing as race as a biological entity. Human genetic variation is multidimensional and frequently clinal in nature. Miscegenation has been the norm rather than the exception throughout human history. We are not being bred like dogs or horses after all. Ancestry-informative markers do exist, but because of their multidimentionality and clinal nature, they can only paint a complex picture of our ancestry, and render concepts such as race or racial purity illogical. Ample evidence is presented to show why monogenism is true and that our ultimate origin is African. The book also dispels the erroneous notion that intelligence and race are related due to underlying genetic factors. The Flynn Effect illustrates this clearly. Finally, it explains the origin of race as a social construct. This arises from the sudden juxtaposition of groups of people at the ends of a continuous genetic spectrum because of recent human migration history. While racism is factually false, to eradicate it is challenging but necessary for both practical and spiritual reasons. Five stars.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

More readable and clearer than “Troublesome Science”

I enjoyed this book. Daniel Fairbanks explains clearly and conversationally the scientific viewpoint on race, which evidence shows is not a biological phenomenon. He also explains human origins in Africa and the movement of people out of Africa. The intent of this book, to dispel the myth of race, is similar to that of “Troublesome Science: The Misuse of Genetics and Genomics in Understanding Race” by Ian Tattersall and Rob DeSalle. However the Fairbanks book is much more readable and stays more on point than the Tattersall book. Troublesome Science got so bogged down in detail that I stopped reading it about half-way through. I recommend “Everyone is African” for anyone curious about race.

[Chad E Spilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many versions of origins that people believe. Most are religious in nature. This book follows the path of DNA and what it tells us in the differences in DNA with different locations of the globe. The pathway that dna shows of migration is from Africa north to either europe or Asia, from Asia to north America and south to south America since then there have been other migration patterns that utilized boats. The dna also shows that light skin is a mutation brought about by probably environmental factors. DNA also reveals variants cause disease that were meant to help people survive such as sickle cell from malaria and cystic fibrosis from dehydration. The overall take away here is that we are all the same with small mutations and variations but racism continues, what a pity.

[Joshua Ngoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyone is African" by Daniel J. Fairbanks is a must read for all those who would to understand the origin of humanity. It is true that every human being on earth is of African origin. The book delves into the scientific evidence debunking the myth of race, illustrating how all humans share a common ancestry. Fairbanks presents a compelling argument backed by genetics, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, showing that racial distinctions are socially constructed rather than biologically based. The book is informative and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for the general reader. However, some might find the depth of scientific detail overwhelming. Overall, it's an enlightening read that challenges preconceived notions about race and human diversity.

[Kristina Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read covering some major historic assumptions about the biological basis of race and providing some genetic evidence for why they aren't reasonable. I liked the detail on the genetics, which should be understandable to the average layperson but still scientifically accurate, with a lot of easy to remember examples. That being said, this territory is not new or groundbreaking and isn't really meant to be a treatise on the subject. I'd recommend this to a high school student taking biology.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why, yes, I just finished reading a book on genetics that's so wonderful it made me cry a couple of times.

This book asserts that, while race is relevant as a social construct, with very real world consequences for the way we categorize and divide--and other--each other, it is entirely irrelevant as a genetic entity. I love the last line of the book: "We are all related, more than seven billion of us, distant cousins to one another, and, ultimately, everyone is African."

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brain does not do science, but I try sometimes. This is a short book and very readable for non-scientific minds! It's so interesting; DNA is incredible and genetic history is fascinating. I disagree with the author about some of his biblical beliefs (or lack thereof), but the findings in his research are astounding. If anything, DNA proves there is a God and that God is the greatest scientist EVER!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to start this book, as I was not in the mood for a non fiction but it exceeded my expectations. It helped that Isaac and I were reading a Genetics book for his Science and they complimented each other nicely. I was surprised how much I got to talk to him about this book as it worked into the conversation. The book was really well written and easy to follow. Variants and peoples migrations were fascinating. Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it.

[Patti Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wake Up Leaders

This is a book every leader (governmental, religion, business) should read and understand. It clearly explains that the concept of racial categorization should be abandoned, and programs designed to promote the equality, freedom, and attainment pursuits of every human should be created and supported.

[Mike Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written to be both scientific and understandable. Great lessons to be learned here!

[Aleks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.

[Brandon B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting book and full of basic knowledge of genes and showing the human migration over thousands of years and the myths about race and intelligence. Reads like an 8th grade essay

[Ben Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cover is atrocious.

[Elyas Bin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that breaks down how everyone is African and the concept or idea of “races” of humans is wrong.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that surveys the scientific evidence (or lack thereof) of races in humans. Daniel Fairbanks has proven himself an excellent communicator of science to general audiences. He uses that skill here to share the fascinating science behind our human ancestry. His writing style makes complex science accessible and accurate. He clearly distinguishes between ancestry and race and helps the reader understand the significance between them. He has separate chapters dealing with the science behind skin color, health, and intelligence; three major issues that are often misrepresented.

But this is not just science, throughout the book Fairbanks weaves a historical perspective of racism. He revisits miscegenation laws, Tuskegee, and other racial issues through our history. His final chapter is a broad overview of the immigrations of human populations around the world showing how racism developed in places like South Africa, Australia, and the United States. Along the way he discusses the important role that migration patterns play for our ancestry.

The book is rich with historical information, good science, human evolution, and wonderful personal anecdotes.

[Edward ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prof. Fairbanks explains the genetic evidence that demonstrates how race is a myth.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear concise and critically sound, this is a book that makes clear what "race" is and means on both a genetic and social level.

[Steve Aversa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an excellent overview of how "races" originated and that really debunks the whole idea that there even are races. Makes you feel more closely related to every human on the planet!

[Harold Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title says it all

Short book really sets out the evidence that race is more a social construct than a scientific one. Very readable.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Race is a social rather than biological construct. One's migrational ancestry is much more telling.

[Mills College Library]

305.8 F164e 2015

[Susan]

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#8-20