Talk:Human skin color/Archives/2008/October

names of Fitzpatrick types

Yes, the common names of the "white" types I to IV, viz. "Celtic", "Nordic", "average Caucasian" and "Mediterranean" hark back to terms in scientific racism (Celtic race, Nordic race, Caucasian race, Alpine race Caucasian race, Mediterranean race) which (gasp) were in turn inspired by phenotypes, especially skin colour. I.e., the terminology has been put back on its feet, instead of designating "races" now designating simply skin shades commonly found in the populations mentioned. It is interesting how some of these names are shunned by the politically correct, especially "Nordic", but apparently also "Celtic", while others aren't, clearly because the name hasn't been stigmatized enough by association with scientific racism. I would like to point out that de:Hauttyp in all innocence mentions the "ethnic" shorthand for the types. They are useful simply because they are more mnemonic than roman numerals. Nobody claims that you "are a Celt" if you are type I, this is hopefully understood by any intelligent reader. --dab (𒁳) 17:13, 10 October 2008 (UTC)