Race: Are We so Different? is a travelling exhibit developed by the American Anthropological Association. Thankfully, Cincinnati is a location on the tour.
I visited during the first week with both anticipation and eagerness. The closing of the first film set the stage by challenging visitors to think and reflect one’s own views. For an exhibit that isn’t physically large, my two-hour engagement caused me to reflect for days.
The exhibit, divided into 3 sections (historical, biological, and currently) allows visitors to determine their own order. Interestingly, and to my surprise, race wasn’t defined; yet it is clear that race is complex, shaped by choices and stereotypes, and misconceptions besides determining who we are and how we interact with one another.
Random Notes
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The exhibit has a wonderful Web site.
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This video hit me hard. The YouTube video below is a news report about the filmmaker, while the link is to the exhibit’s video.
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I didn’t finish the exhibit, but plan to return … and hopefully engage in discussions with other visitors.
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I didn’t consider myself a racist, but this exhibit helped me see how most of us really are.
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Philadelphia and Los Angeles are the next tour stops for 2009; here’s the entire tour schedule.
Image courtesy of the American Anthropological Association and video courtesy of YouTube.
A Frank Angle 