First Posted: 1/14/2009 12:24:51 PM | Last Updated: 1/14/2009 3:10:05 PM
By Terry DeMio
tdemio@CinciPulse.com
CINCINNATI —Dispelling myths and spurring discussion across the country, the traveling exhibit
RACE: Are We So Different? comes to the Cincinnati Museum Center next week, promising to reach deep into the community.
“RACE” is set to run Jan. 17-April 26, with a multitude of accompanying events designed to draw in local residents' thoughts and personal stories about the issue.
“The exhibit was created with an eye toward encouraging discussion, and we’re expanding on that,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, CMC vice president of Museums. The center is organizing talking circles to include the public, with moderators, expert panelists and community members.
The exhibit looks at how contemporary scientific understanding challenges the way we think about race, creators said. “RACE: Are We So Different” was developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota. It takes viewers through three themes: the scientific, historical and social constructs of race. The exhibit is the first to explore the ideas of race in the context of the three themes.
Two other CMC events coincide with the kick-off of the exhibit: The 24
th annual African Cultural Fest runs from noon-5 p.m. Jan. 17-19 in the Grand Rotunda, featuring activities, authentic African goods and food, performances and more that illustrate the diversity of African cultures. Also, CMC is inviting the public to view the inaugural events for President-elect Barack Obama beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 20. It was not intentional that the “RACE” exhibit was scheduled during the same time – it was planned long before Obama was elected as the next U.S. president – but Matthews is excited that people will be able to view the exhibit while attending the community viewing of the inauguration.
The upcoming exhibit is drawing attention from equality and educational organizations throughout the community.
“We have a lot of partnerships supporting the exhibit,” Matthews said, noting that BRIDGES for a Just Community, the National Underground Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum have joined in to engage the community in the “RACE” exhibit.
“BRIDGES for a Just Community is very pleased the educational "RACE: Are We So Different?" exhibit is coming to town,” said Robert C. “Chip” Harrod, president and CEO of BRIDGES. “Using anthropology to debunk the allegedly scientific reasons that were used to justify the creation of ‘race’ as a distinguishing categorization of human beings, this exhibit shows ‘race’ for what it really is – a social construct that was fabricated by white Europeans to establish and maintain a hierarchy among the peoples of the world.”
BRIDGES will hold its Feb. 12 meeting at the CMC to encourage members of its board to view and discuss the exhibit.
Public discussions have been set throughout the duration of the RACE exhibit, and Matthews hopes that more will be organized. “We are still very open to that,” she said. “We really want this to be an open discussion.”
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Public Programming for “RACE: Are We So Different:"
Jan. 17: RACE: Are We So Different? Exhibit opens, 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting
RACE Story Kiosk opens
Visitors may record their own stories, thoughts and feelings about race in Cincinnati
The First Unitarian Church Reconciliation Service, 12:30 p.m., Reakirt Auditorium at CMC, free
A generation ago, an African-American family was denied membership at First Unitarian, and at this service, through the leadership of the church and commitment of the congregation over a year-long reconciliation journey, descendants of that family will be welcomed and church research papers and records of these events will be ceremoniously accepted into the archives of the Cincinnati Historical Society
Jan. 17-March 27: YouTube Video Contest
Designed to specifically engage youth.
Those interested in participating will submit a video that answers the question: What does race mean to you? Want youth to be creative, artistic and really think about this question as it relates to their experience.
There will be three winners: first, second and third. Prizes have yet to be determined
Winning videos will be posted on Museum Center’s website; additionally, the first-place entry will play on the LED board on Fountain Square
Jan. 17-19: African Culture Fest, noon-5 p.m., Museum Center Rotunda, free
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Immerse yourself in the diverse heritage, the music, dance, arts and crafts of Africa; African Culture Fest is the longest running, the largest, and the only three-day event in the Passport to the World series, marked in its closing day by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Jan. 20: Inauguration Day 2009, 10 a.m. start, Museum Center Rotunda, free
A community viewing of the 44th US Presidential Inauguration parade and events
Feb. 14-15: Appalachian Culture Fest, noon-5 p.m., Museum Center Rotunda, free.
Traipse along the Appalachian Trail to vibrant sounds of bluegrass musicians and eloquent storytellers and experience the culture with skilled mountain crafters and traditional arts demonstrators
Feb. 16: Cincinnati Opera presents “Oh Freedom!” 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reakirt Auditorium, free.
Addresses struggles of African-Americans from the time of slavery through the Civil Rights Movement, told through music; beginning with Zairian work songs and concluding with awe-inspiring efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Feb. 17: Cincinnati is Talking About Race…And Our Children: A Community Conversation, 7 p.m., Reakirt Auditorium, free.
Feb. 25: Hair Affair , 7-9 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, free.
In recent years, artists have explored questions of race and identity through hair; join Museum Center and Cincinnati Art Museum for gallery strolls, working hair designers and a lecture from a local artist who uses hair to show the art of hair and the hair in art
Feb. 26: The Concept of Race: a Darwinian Perspective, 7:30 p.m., Reakirt Auditorium, free.
Anthony Perzigian, PhD, Professor, anthropologist and senior vice president and provost, University of Cincinnati. Given as part of the Charles & Ralph Dury Science Lecture Series
March 10: Cincinnati is Talking About Race…And Our Neighborhoods: A Community Conversation, 6 p.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, free.
March 12: Growing Up Jim Crow: How Black and White Southern Children Learned Race, 7:30 p.m., Reakirt Auditorium, free.
Jennifer Ritterhouse, Utah State University. Given as part of the Cincinnati Seminar on the City program.
Each Seminar on the City lecture begins with an optional reception and dinner at 6 p.m.
Reservations for the reception and dinner must be made in advance; cost is $35 per person; call (513) 287-7021; reservation deadline is March 8.
March 14-15: Celtic Culture Fest, noon-5 p.m., Museum Center Rotunda, free.
Discover the diverse heritage, dance, music, crafts and culture of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, at Celtic Lands Culture Fest; the event features fancy footwork, traditional Celtic music and an array of art and folklore from the British Isles
April 2-5: Raw Stock Film Festival; Celebrating Cinema of Color (times to be decided)
The festival features films – historic and contemporary – that delve into variations on the theme of race. Multiple locations within Museum Center, including Reakirt Auditorium and the Newsreel Theater
April 23: Incarcerating Japanese Americans: 1942-2009, 7:30 p.m., Reakirt Auditorium, free.
Roger Daniels, PhD, Chairman emeritus, University of Cincinnati Department of History; Annual Distinguished Historian Lecture
Optional reception and dinner beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Reservations for the reception and dinner must be made in advance; cost is $60 per person; call (513) 287-7021; reservation deadline is April 17.
April 25-26: Asian Culture Fest, noon-5 p.m., Museum Center Rotunda, free.
Celebrate the rich traditions of Asia through the histories, arts and traditions of China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and others; the event features an assortment of cultural performances and other activities, including demonstrations, storytelling, dance performances, workshops, cultural displays and an Asian marketplace.
April (Date, time, location TBD): Cincinnati is Talking About Race…And ?? You Decide: A Community Conversation, free.
Send suggestions to
race@cincymuseum.org
For more information, call (513) 287-7000 or visit
www.cincymuseum.org.