Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection has acted as a wedge in America’s public opinion for most of the time since Darwin published his famous book, “On the Origin of Species,” in 1859. Darwin was not the first to think of evolution, but his theory of natural selection — which says genetic mutations make some individuals more fit to survive in their environment, thus increasing the chance they will pass those genes to the next generation and so forth — was unique. Every year, some commemorate Darwin’s birthday with Darwin Day on Feb. 12. Although national surveys show U.S. adults slowly inching their way toward the generic stance that humans have evolved over time, this isn’t a direct endorsement of Darwin’s theory, and there is a notable gap between Black Americans and the rest of the general public.
A 2014 Pew Research Center survey showed that while 63 percent of Hispanics and 67 percent of whites agreed with the notion that humans have evolved over time, only 55 percent of Black Americans agreed with that stance.
Joseph Graves, associate dean for research and professor of biological sciences at North Carolina A&T State University, said religion is at the core of why people reject evolution, since the evidence scientists have accumulated over the years makes a compelling case for evolution by natural selection. But Graves, an Episcopalian, said accepting evolution doesn’t “boil down to a rejection of religion.”
“For one to reject evolutionary science, one has to be willing and capable of rejecting all of the evidence,” said Graves, who in 1988 became the first African-American to earn a doctorate degree in evolutionary biology.
A SCIENTIFIC THEORY
It’s important to note a scientific theory is different from the everyday use of “theory.” A scientific theory must be testable and make verifiable predictions. In the case of evolution by natural selection, the predictions look backward by using DNA sequences and physical features to figure out when a common ancestor of two species should have existed, and then going to the fossil record to find it.
GOD’S ROLE
Carefully-crafted surveys support the notion that religion shapes Americans’ opinions on evolution. In a Pew survey published Feb. 6, highly religious groups — white evangelical Protestants and Black Protestants — demonstrated they are more open to evolution when they can clarify God’s role in the process. When asked to choose between humans having always existed in their present form and humans evolving, only 32 percent of Black Protestants said humans have evolved. But respondents from the same survey were much more likely to say humans have evolved if they could add the caveat that God or another higher power guided the process (so-called “intelligent design”), with 66 percent taking that stance. Only 6 percent said humans evolved naturally.
For reference, among all U.S. adults, when given the option to include a higher power, 48 percent said God guided the process, and 33 percent said evolution has happened naturally.
SCIENCE LEADERS
One of the most common rebuttals to someone who rejects evolution is that most scientists — 98 percent is a common number on polls — accept evolution. But considering only 28 percent of Black Americans have a “great deal” of confidence in scientific leaders, according to a 2018 study by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, it may be that scientific consensus doesn’t matter.
“That’s the same thing as asking them, ‘Do you trust white people?’” Graves said. “… If I show up as a scientist, I guarantee the trust factor would change. For the vast majority of these communities, they’ve never seen a person of African descent in a leading role in science.”
A COMPLEX HISTORY
African-Americans have a complicated relationship with evolution that could also partly inform feelings about evolution today. For example, during the famous 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial — where a Tennessee high school teacher was accused of violating state law by teaching human evolution in a state-funded school — fundamentalist African-Americans supported the anti-evolutionist William Bryan, while secular Black elites supported the teaching of evolution. Even Rev. William Moses, the campaign director for the National Baptist Convention, said Christianity is “strengthened by science rather than weakened.”
There are also prominent examples of scientific racism, where Darwin’s theory, along with science in general, are weaponized to justify the belief that some races are superior to others. But not all agree this plays a significant role in shaping African-Americans’ opinions.
“I’m inclined to think that it’s not really a factor,” said Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education. “When you look at the really glaring cases in which African-Americans have suffered at the hands of science, evolution and biology aren’t really front and center there.”
Instead, Branch said the more relevant perpetrator is medical racism, which includes a history of doctors and scientists using African-Americans for experiments, often without their knowledge or permission.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Science teachers may see these factors as obstacles to the full education of their students, especially in a typical high school biology class where teachers introduce teenagers to evolution. The temptation might be to try to convince students — who come with their own biases and likely don’t already understand evolution — but Branch said it’s best to lay out the evidence of Darwin’s theory and let students make the decision for themselves.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
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