RACE: Are We So Different? Explores the Reality – and Unreality – of Race

Exhibition opens Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Discovery Place

January 24, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Discovery Place will boldly confront one of the most divisive issues of our time when it presents RACE: Are We So Different? February 5 through May 8, 2011. Making its debut appearance in the southeastern U.S., the exhibition challenges visitors to ask, “Is race real?” As contemporary scientific understanding of human variation has continued to develop, so has the concept of ethno-racial groups. Through the examination of the science, history and cultural impact of race and racism, RACE: Are We So Different? provides visitors with fresh scientific and cultural perspectives intended to inform, test and question modern perceptions.

“We all can see that people look different, but modern science and anthropology may alter how we understand and experience race,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place. “Science has demonstrated that humans cannot be divided into ‘races’ based on physical attributes or genes. It’s about the effects of geography and where people live, not categories. We hope that visitors will approach this cutting-edge exhibition with an open mind, leaving with their own conclusions about the scientific versus the interpreted elements of race and racism.”

The 5,000 square foot exhibition presents a powerful combination of artifacts, historic and contemporary photography, multimedia and interactive activities that challenge guests to think and talk about one of the most important and polarizing topics in society. It examines the long-held notion that a certain number of “races” exist within the human species and takes an in-depth look at the continuum of humankind, analyzing whether or not classifying people by race is a substantive measure. A project of the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition delves into scientific and historical contexts as well as the core social and cultural significance of the idea of race. It scrutinizes the misconceptions, confusion and other interpretations of the theory of race and the powerful social doctrines that have accompanied it.

RACE: Are We So Different? features more than 30 exhibits and activities that explore three main themes:
• Science: Visitors will discover that human beings are more alike than any other living species and no one gene or set of genes can support the idea of race. Activities include a computer simulation of gene flow, a microscope to examine the true make up of skin, an interactive challenge to match voices to pictures and the Hapa Project, a photographic exploration of multiracial individuals.
• History: Ideas about race have existed – and dramatically changed – throughout American history. Economic interests, popular culture, science, politics and power struggles have played roles in shaping our understanding of race. Highlights include a multimedia display exploring the genesis of race in the 17th and 18th centuries, an explanation of “race science” from the 20th century, a history of the invention of “whiteness” along with an interactive quiz demonstrating how fluid the category really is and the story of Native Americans and their claim to land in the 19th century.
• Everyday Experience: Though the biological basis for race is questionable, it is certainly real both socially and culturally. Visitors will explore personal experiences related to race in our schools, neighborhoods, healthcare system, sports and entertainment industries and more. Guests can visit a pharmacy to explore the first drug approved for a specific ethno-racial group or sit on the steps of a row house as they learn about housing practices and land ownership. Museum-goers can sit in a high school cafeteria while listening to teen perspectives in the “Youth on Race” video or learn about high blood pressure and its disproportionate effect on African Americans while visiting a doctor’s office.

“Race has a pervasive impact on our lives,” said Mackay. “As a Museum that encourages life-long learning, we want to give people an objective opportunity to think about and discuss important social issues that have a basis in science. We encourage families to visit and share the experience together because it’s never too early to start talking about race.”

Enriching the exhibition experience
Guests’ exploration of race will not stop with the exhibition. Discovery Place will enhance the experience with a hands-on unit about genetics in the Explore More Life lab and offer The Skin You’re In, a recurrent guided program featuring topics such as DNA extraction and the structure of human skin.

The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre will feature the new film ARABIA, focusing on the extraordinary culture, history and religion of this exotic and fascinating land. Movie-goers can ride a camel caravan, dive into the treasure-laden Red Sea, explore the ruins and experience the Hajj. It is a world filled with myth and misinformation that few will ever visit but through the immersive IMAX giant screen experience, many will have the opportunity to understand.

In addition to the exhibition, Discovery Place will offer RACE Exchanges, a facilitated discussion program designed to enhance and deepen the experience by providing time for personal reflection and guided conversation. RACE Exchanges allow groups of individuals to intentionally explore what they see and hear in the exhibition, to examine ideas and perceptions about race and racism and to have meaningful conversation in a prepared and safe space. RACE Exchanges are made possible through the support of Crossroads Charlotte.

Visitors can continue their experience by visiting the special RACE website, understandingRACE.org. Educational materials are available on the site for educators and the general public.

The national tour of RACE: Are We So Different? is presented by the Best Buy Children’s Foundation. In Charlotte, the exhibition has received leadership support from Bank of America, Blumenthal Foundation, Crossroads Charlotte and The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. The exhibition is supported by the following media partners: Adams Outdoor Advertising, The Charlotte Observer, WSOC-TV Channel 9 and 90.7 WFAE.

Visitor information
RACE will be on exhibition at Discovery Place from February 5 - May 8, 2011 and is free with Museum admission. Admission to Discovery Place is $12 for adults (ages 14-59); $10 for seniors (ages 60 and older) and $9 for children (ages 2-13); free for children younger than 2 and Members. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Discovery Place is open Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m. During the exhibition, the Museum will extend hours on Wednesday evenings to remain open until 8 p.m. (last admission will be at 7 p.m.). Reservations for RACE, ARABIA or RACE Exchanges may be booked by calling (704) 372-6261 x 300.

About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined Museum with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place KIDS, a community-based children’s museum for children from birth through age 7, opened its first location in Huntersville in October, 2010.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call (704)372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with a Basic Operating Grant from the Arts & Sciences Council.
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