History Colorado Extends Invitation for Special Preview of Traveling Exhibit "RACE: Are We So Different?"

DENVER, Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- What is race?  What do we really know about race?  We know that race is a short word with a long history in the United States.  Think of the history of America and our ideas of race together, mixed-up, and ever-changing. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/145593
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/145594

Race is an enduring concept that has molded our nation's economy, laws, and social institutions. It is a complex notion that has shaped each of our destinies.  And with the idea that "all men are created equal," written into the Declaration of Independence by a slave-holder named Thomas Jefferson, a democratic nation was born with a major contradiction about race at its core.

Today, science tells us that all humans share a common ancestry.  And while there are differences among us, we're also very much alike.  Changing demographics in the U.S. and across the globe are resulting in new patterns of marriage, housing, education, employment, and new thinking about race.  Despite these advances, the legacy of race continues to affect us in a variety of ways. 

Deeply held assumptions about race and enduring stereotypes make us think that gaps in wealth, health, housing, education, employment, or physical ability in sports are natural.  And we fail to see the privileges that some have been granted and others denied because of skin color.  This creation called race, has fostered inequality and discrimination for centuries.  It has influenced how we relate to each other as human beings.

History Colorado is bringing this exhibit to Colorado to share the complicated story of race, to unravel fiction from fact, and to encourage meaningful discussions about race in schools, in the workplace, within families and communities.  We invite you to do the same with us.  Examine and re-examine your thoughts and beliefs about race.

Friday, September 19, 2014 5-7 pm

History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver CO

Join Us: RSVP to Deborah Radman, Email

Or call:  303-866-3670

Visit:   www.historycolorado.org

Special pre-previews can be arranged by request, September 17-19.  Please let us know.

SOURCE History Colorado