We are All One Species

I recently had the fortunate experience to visit several Museums of the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Whether in the African American, Native American, Natural History or American History Museum, I was reminded once again that we are all one species. There are no differing races. There are no inferior and superior people. We all came from that small group of Modern Humans/Homo sapiens who came Out of Africa in 55,000 BC to inhabit the globe. We were the Aboriginals in Austrailia, the CroMagnons in Europe, and the Native Americans in America. And of course we were the Africans who remained in Africa as the San. But the point is we are all one species. Once the last Neanderthal died 30,000 years ago we were alone on the planet. At one time there were 13 different premodern human groups living in Africa, but they eventually all became extinct and only one group of humans has survived. That group is us-- Homo Sapiens. We all have the same DNA. We only breed with each other. These are two defining features of a species. Think about it. We are all one common human species-- the only human species to surive on the earth. And we are all ONE. This point struck home to me a number of years ago as I studied Human Origins. I thought of it again in 2015 on a tour of Southern African Human Origins fossils. And, I was reminded of it once again recently while walking through the Natural History and other Smithsonian Museums. In the Natural History Museum I saw our Human Origins story displayed in graphic detail. Suddenly all the Museums of the Smithsonian made sense. They are all about us. There is not a Hispanic, Asian American, or LGBTQ Museum, but if there was the point would remain: We are all One species. So, the next time you are with any group of people, notice the differences in skin color, body size, facial features, culture, religion, history, sex, gender, etc., etc., etc. And then think, "Wow, we are all ONE." I confess that learning this scientific truth has changed my understanding of our global human community. If you ponder this truth along with me it might alter your understanding of all of us as well. Ask a question!!  make a comment!! Tell me who you are!!