Author: Sarah Mofford
Discussions of race are not usually thought of as scientific pursuits. Typically, they are considered part of the humanities or social sciences. Yet inside the Science Center, the “RACE: Are we so different?” exhibit explores the formation of our concept of race. The exhibit was established by the American Anthropological Association, whose introduction video at the exhibit stated that it hoped to create a space where visitors could investigate race through examining and reexamining how it is perceived and defined.
The free exhibit is incredibly interesting and on a completely different plane than most other exhibits I have visited. The exhibit works to investigate the many levels of race and racism within society. Its goal is to show that, although we have come a long way, racism still exists and continues to affect our world. After all, when we think about race, we think of the stereotypes and generalities that accompany the races, reinforced by history and the media. Much of the exhibit discussed how this came about and how it affects the people who are stereotyped.
One interesting idea that the exhibit probed visitors to explore was the formation of our concept of race. Although it all began with Columbus (like everything else in America), the U.S. Census has a powerful position in defining our concept of how we see others and ourselves. Those little bubbles we fill out on FAFSA, SATs, ACTs and taxes are all modeled to be consistent with the Census.
This means that almost every defining government paper we fill out is modeled after the Census, making it a powerful defining factor in race. According to the exhibit, before 1970, the Census was done door-to-door and the people collecting the statistics judged the race of the participant on physical appearance only. To bring the point home was a picture of a diverse group of students clad in shirts with different years and the names they would have received on the Census. One girl’s shirt read, “1900 Indian, 1980 Eskimo, 2000 Alaska Native.” Another’s said, “1890 Japanese, 1970 Korean, 1990 Asian.”
The exhibit also investigates race’s place in medicine. One aspect in particular revealed how medical “facts” can be affected by racism. One such fact was that while most people with genetic connections to African countries have low risk for high blood pressure and hypertension, in America, African Americans are at the highest risk for hypertension and high blood pressure. Studies found that the more racial prejudice found in the country, the higher the average blood pressure.
There was also a survey that showed the differences people had in their definitions of who is or is not considered white, by country of origin, such as Belgium and Spain. The exhibit also includes a discussion of the invention of races, especially whiteness, and a film in which teens discuss the prevalence of racial stereotypes in their schools.
Some of the most interesting things at the exhibit are related to race and education, such as a feature on why affirmative action is necessary and how putting students on tracks (such as the regular classes versus honors classes) is highly race related, with Asians and Whites often being placed in higher tracks than Latinos and Blacks.
One quote read that although African Americans enter high school a year behind in vocabulary, they exit four years behind, mostly due to these race-related tracks. This education gap leads to a wealth gap, which is also explored in the exhibit. Anyone who wishes to be a teacher or work with students should go to see this exhibit, if only to make sure they do not repeat the mistakes of past educators.
The information displayed in this exhibit is nothing less than intriguing. Anyone who likes a sports team with an Indian mascot and can’t understand why Native Americans are offended, hopeful educators, those who aren’t sure about affirmative action and those who simply need to be reminded how lucky they are to be privileged enough to go to college should go see this exhibit.
The RACE exhibit is located at the California Science Center, Exposition Park on 39th Street & Figueroa Street. Parking costs $8 but the exhibit is free.
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