Why does Africans have thick and large lips?

Jean Camille P. Gomez & Meryll Kim D. Robles

One day in school there is this African boy whose name is Philip, he is being tease by 1 group of bullies composed of 5 big boys. These boys were teasing this little boy because of his thick lips. haha, your lips are bigger than my face! the boy teased him, he knows that he cant fight them because hes only one and there are five of them, so Philip just ignored the bullies, walked away and just go home.

When he got home something was going on in his mind, he thought of that its because of his hideous lips that cause him to be bullied. He was so sad that he wished that he didnt exist anymore. why did even God made me when I will just get bullied? he asked himself, why do I even have these kind of lips? I hate it!. He didnt notice that his mom was listening to him. He went down stairs to eat dinner with his mom and dad. When they were eating his mom asked hows school Philip? pretending that she doesnt even know nothing, well, my day in school was good, it was a little risky but Im fine Philip answered, is that so? Well, ok his mom replied.

The next day was Saturday, Philip went to the park by himself. An old man come near him and started walking beside him, then the old man asked are you being bullied in school?, Philip felt confuse and find it awkward that the old man is telling such a question, well, yes, why? Philip replied. They had silence for about 1 minute then the old man talked why do they bully you son? he asked, its because of my thick lips Philip replied to the old man. Im tired of being bullied, why is my lips even thick? Philip stated, figure it out and if you are confuse of so many explanations, find me and Ill tell you why the old man said to him. Philip realized that he was walking alone, he didnt notice that the old man vanished already.

Its 3:00 in the afternoon and Philip was with his father. He started asking why his lips are thick. Lets imagine this happened, 50 years ago many Africans were fond of eating honey, they were careless and didnt mind if there were any honey left on the side of their mouth and on their lips. He stated, then what happened dad? Philip asked. the bees came and attack them, the bees sting their lips that lead their lips to be thick. Imagine that happened his father said I see, Im imagining it now, thanks dad. Philip replied to his father. But Philip wasnt contented with what his father told him. Monday in school he was walking at the corridor when he met his adviser Ms. Diaz. He confidently ask why Africans like him have thick lips. well, maybe because your ancestors bit their lips way back then his teacher said, is that so teacher? he replied, Im so sorry Philip, I dont have time for this kind of

question his teacher said to him ok maam Philip said. The same thing he felt, he wasnt contented with the answer of his teacher.

When he was about to go home he saw his genius senior schoolmate and confidently approach him why his lips were thick. Black people have larger lips, and nostrils, because their ancestors through evolution lived in a hot climate that did not fluxuate as much as climates around the globe. Basically, they are beings equipped for sun and heat. Larger lips offer several advantages in heat. They are a larger "cooling" surface of the mouth, they help cool the air as it passes the moist lips and enters the lungs which keeps the body cooler. The same goes for the nostrils, they are wider allowing more of the "thinner" warm air to enter at a faster speed, cooling the air and again in turn cooling the body. Slavery has not been around long enough to alter these genetics, however, you will notice a higher amount of lean muscle and thicker bones from blacks with slave ancestory as they were "bred" from large female and large male to make large children. Often smaller and weaker slaves were not bred and possibly were rendered useless, given less food and even put to death. Philip, do not be afraid of knowledge, knowing reality does not make you a "racist" only not excepting the reality of co-existance and human equality does. Does that answer you question kid? His mind were about to explode and he didnt have a choice so he just said yes. He didnt understand his senior schoolmate so he just went home thinking why is his lips large and thick.

When he was walking home he walked by a church, he changed his mind in going home early, instead, he went to church kneel down and pray. After praying he saw his aunt and his cousin, so he went near them and greet them as well. The same thing he did, he asked why. its due to adaptation my dear his aunt said, what is adaptation aunt? Philip asked her, adaptation my dear is a evolutionary process whereby population becomes better suited to its habitat. It may also refer to feature which is especially important for an organisms survival and reproduction his aunt explain it him. After that conversation he went home and think, so if thats why, why am I getting bullied, Im human like them but why do they discriminate me, I feel so lonely because I dont have friends to hang out with because Im shy to mingle with others because maybe theyll get disgusted with my physical features. He said to himself while tears falls down from his eyes.

After 20 minutes, he didnt notice again that his mom was peeking and listening in what hes saying. His mom entered Philips room and started a conversation. whats wrong son? I heard you crying. His mom asked and he noticed that his mom is very worried. its nothing mom, its just that Im just so lonely he said, and why are you lonely my son? his mom asked again, its because Im being discriminated by my classmates because of this physical features of mine and me being an African, and why are my lips thick and large? he said and at the same time asked to his mom. Oh, I see your problem there son. We Africans have thick lips because god made us like this, God wants us to be different and God has a plan for us more than we have for ourselves. So son, just understand your

situation, itll be ok sooner or later, trust me, Ill be here by your side all the time, Ill support you. My mom smiled at me and I smiled back. After that conversation I went to sleep.

The next day in school I wore a smile while going to the classroom, I met the bullies and they blocked me. all of you, whats your problem? I asked sincerely. You! the all answered that, and why me? I asked again, because you dont belong here, you should be out there in the streets begging for alms. Their words hurt me so much that I started crying, are you crying? Gosh! Thats so gay. Haha one of the members said to me. I ran away and went to the park. In the park he sat on a bench and started crying hard. last night I felt happy because of what my mother said, but today, why is it like this? I was so very hurt when they said that to me, I dont even have the guts to see all my classmates, schoolmates, teachers, and even my parents. I dont want to be discriminated! I dont want to be judged! I dont want to exist anymore! he shouted those words while he cried his heart out. Mean while the old man appeared again and sat beside him. My son, why are you like this? the old man asked, its because Im having a hard time dealing with my situation, I dont want to live like this anymore. Philip said while hes crying. are you confused? the old man asked, yes, Im very confused. Philip replied, then why didnt you find me? the old man asked and Philip remembered that the old man said that if he was confused with all of the explanations people he asked why his lips were thick hell find the old man and the old man will tell him why, I forgot. Im sorry, its just that all of this confusion made me forgot what youve said to me. Philip explained to the old man. They had an awkward silence and the old man started talking do you want to know?, oh yes, I really want to know. Philip said, then promise me one thing. The old man approach Philip, ok I will, what is it? Philip replied and asked. appreciate yourself and what you have. The old man said, Philip was very confuse now but he had no choice but to nod. Philip, hear me out, this is what you want to know. All people are unique in many different ways the old man said, so whats your point there? Philip asked. This is my point, all people are discouraging themselves, look, Africans have different features, Chinese people have different features, Americans have different features. That means they are unique in many ways, all people are equal, even though you have thick lips and people bully you, you shouldnt be affected that much because youre just letting yourself down. All of us are equal and you should remember that. The old man said wait, Im still confuse Philip said. , Youre a funny little kid, figure it out, for now I did my part. The old man smiled at me then I smiled back. Then if he didnt make it clear to me then who?

Its Sunday and Philip is alone in the their house. He thought of that if it wasnt his dad, his teacher, his aunt, his mother and the old man he thought that maybe he knows the answer.

I have thick lips because, Im special, Im different, Im special in a different way he said to himself. Yes! Thats it, the old man is right, I shouldnt discourage myself, I should appreciate myself and what I have. He went out and went to the park to find the old man. He asked the vendor always there in the park if he saw the old man always in the park. The vendor said that there was no old man walking alone always at that park. He went home and he saw a letter at the door step. He read it and tears came falling from his eyes and he was smiling.

This is what is written in the letter Dear, Philip I hope you learned something in your situation, I hope youre happy now, and I hope that you know now what you want to know from the beginning. Take Care and God Bless. Love, Jesus

Philip just witnessed a great miracle in his life.