True or False?
The idea of "RACE" was invented a few hundred years ago.
Today I spent about 90 minutes at the new RACE exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. Upon entering this exceptional multimedia and hands-on exhibit, the True/False question as seen above was presented through a video. I never would have thought the answer was True. According to the video, the concept of race took shape during the age of exploration as European colonizers created social systems with themselves at the top and Natives and African slaves at the bottom. The concept of race is tied to power and the creation of hierarchal societies. Does RACE matter? Watch the introductory video below:
A few concepts that struck me the most about the exhibit:
- The creation of RACE has largely contributed to the creation of gaps in educational attainment, access to healthcare, and wealth.
- It is theorized that possessing darker or lighter skin color is due to the bodies' need to adapt to the amount of life under the sun. (little sun in Norway = lighter skinned people)
- Inter-racial marriage was illegal in many states through the 1950's and 1960's.
This exhibit was very well done. It spanned a scientific approach to RACE, it's historical and cultural roots in relation to the United States in particular, and questions for the future about how we as humans, and specifically Americans, should approach this concept.
For a more thorough peek at the official website go to:
http://www.understandingrace.org/
The American Anthropological Association developed this project. To learn more go to:
The American Anthropological Association developed this project. To learn more go to:
