The TED Talk I have chosen to analyze is “The First Steps Toward More Inclusive Dermatology” by Jenna C. Lester. Her primary purpose in this talk is to emphasize the need for dermatologists to be trained in diagnosing and treating dark skin, as well as hair. She makes her point through shocking statistical evidence and images, beginning with showing just how differently Lyme’s Disease prevents its self in dark skin compared to light skin. The paradigm shift here is the shift from a lack of education for dermatologists to a more inclusive world of dermatology.

Lester maintains that dermatologists need to be educated about dark skin before becoming doctors. She states that 47% of graduating dermatologists feel uncomfortable diagnosing diseases in dark skin. This shocking statistic shows us how little most dermatologists may know about diseases and black skin, despite the fact that they are acting as a skincare professional to patients with dark skin. In reference to the images that she opened with it, she emphasizes how important this is stating that Lyme’s Disease cases are increasing along with climate change and that, if left untreated, this disease can lead to nerve damage, arthritis, and more. Lester recommends that we reevaluate and make changes to how people with darker skin are represented in textbooks. There is a misrepresentation of black individuals in that they are overrepresented in sections about syphilis, STDs, etc., and underrepresented in all other categories. This misrepresentation is contributing to the stigma around people of color in associating them with dirty diseases and STDs.

This paradigm shift must be made from undereducation to inclusion. She is contributing to the shift through creating a program, the Skin of Color Program at UCSF. This program shows future dermatologist everything from recognizing diseases on skin of color to discussing with a black woman how to treat a problem with her hair/scalp.

Lester’s speaking style is very strong in her eye contact, strong diction and articulation, and clear passion for what she is discussing. Her style is formal yet easy to understand, and the examples that she uses really drive home all of her points. I think this would fall under a category of “doing a presentation” rather than “delivering a speech” because there are aspects to her presentation other than her words, and it does not seem overly memorized. Rather, it seems like she truly knows what she is talking about and could give a very lengthy presentation on it.