H. G. Wells once said, “Our true nationality is mankind.”  Ed Nichols, CEO of History Colorado, says, “This amazing exhibit is a must-see experience that is vitally important to our community and our country, because it fosters a deeper understanding of the issues and history of race and racism.”

Developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, RACE is the first exhibition that tells the stories of race from the biological, cultural and historical point of view.  AARP, The Denver Foundation, and Facing History and Ourselves have joined History Colorado to support this unprecedented exhibit.

“Recent events and tragedies in our country have provoked outcry and divisiveness,” says Nichols.  “The 24-hour news cycle has further exacerbated racial tensions.  At History Colorado we are creating a safe environment and broader platform to engage our community, our leaders and the media around this discussion by serving as a hub for thought-provoking programming and dialog that addresses race relations, diversity and inclusiveness in a thoughtful yet provocative way.”

History Colorado is planning a variety of programs including a professional development series and workshops for teachers, parents and students.  The museum has launched an extensive community partners program engaging nearly 100 multicultural organizations, the City of Denver, law enforcement and the news media to be part of the conversation and participate throughout the exhibit’s 90-day stay at the History Colorado Center.

“Our teams are working to help involve these key audiences, as well as their networks, neighbors, colleagues, friends and families, in this discussion that is extremely complex, controversial and vital – especially today, when many people feel that we live in a post-racial society,” says donnie l. betts, education liaison at History Colorado.  “With the growth of interracial unions and multiracial and LGBT families, the complexity of a conversation about race, identity and diversity enlarges,” says betts.  “Let’s not fear the conversation, let’s love the conversation.”

Events, lectures and workshops planned include:

OPENING EVENTS

• 9/19:  History Colorado Member, media and community partners Open House and exhibit preview
• 9/20:  EXHIBIT OPENS TO THE PUBLIC:  both RACE and more than 300 drawings by Sioux artist Eugene Standingbear, a gift to Jennifer Okada from the artist in the 1970s and newly acquired by History Colorado. Among the drawings is one that clearly speaks to Standingbear’s life in two worlds

PROGRAMS

• 9/22: A Community Conversation with Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa: America’s Story.
   
• Six-month FWD Series (October 2014 – April 2015) explores the history, economics and science of race, and ends by looking at immigration today and the changing demographics of our state. What does Colorado look like in 2015? What does race and identity mean for our future?
   
• Two key lectures:

  • 9/16:  Lecture by Dr. Greg Robinson from the University of Quebec at Montreal about wartime Japanese confinement in North America during World War II.

  • 10/21:  A Conversation with Frederick Douglas by Charles Everett Pace, who illuminates the life and times of Douglass in a vivid scholarly performance, exploring African American history and embracing the concept of a useable past.

• 10/13:  Discussion about Cold War Colorado:  Liberals, Anti-Communists and Colorado Civil Rights, 1950-1959

• 10/22:  Film Screening:  I’m Not Racist…Am I? This feature documentary follows a diverse group of teens through a yearlong exploration to get at the heart of racism.
   

• 11/24:  Eugene Standingbear Collection:  In conjunction with the RACE exhibit, a select number of drawings from the History Colorado Eugene Standingbear collection will be on display.  Art & Design curator Alisa Zahller will take us through her journey to rediscover Standingbear and reveal how Standingbear’s life and art illustrate the impact of race on identity.
   

• Library Programs include:

  • ​9/16:  Hispanic Photographs in Our Collection -- In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, join our photography curators in History Colorado’s Anschutz Hamilton Hall to view historic photos of Colorado’s Hispanic heritage.

  • 11/18: Native American Photography -- In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, our photography curators will present selections from History Colorado’s collection documenting Native American history in Colorado.

  • 12/5:  Tracing your African American or Native American Roots – Researching ancestors can pose some unique challenges to the family historian.  Fortunately History Colorado has advice on structuring your research and will discuss unique collections and records that should help family historians achieve their goals.

FOR TEACHERS

• 9/23:  RACE Exhibit Preview – RACE has been designed for middle and high school students.  Some components may be challenging for some students.  So History Colorado is encouraging teachers to visit the exhibit before bringing students.
• 10 17-10/18:  Teacher Professional Development Workshop:  History Colorado and Facing History and Ourselves have partnered to present this teacher professional development opportunity.  Participants in this two-day workshop will examine ideas and practices that emerged in early America, the “race science” of the Eugenics Movement, the beliefs and policies that supported the Jim Crow era, and the success and struggles of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Field trips with student groups are encouraged and an Educator’s Guide to the RACE exhibition includes an overview of the exhibit, pre-visit preparation suggestions, post-visit activity ideas, field trip activity page templates and additional resources.
• Exploring Race (grades 6-12):  Sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays in October.  History Colorado and The Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion are partnering to offer facilitated workshops for students to explore the issues of race.

GROUPS

• Un-Facilitated Group Visits:  This experience allows visitors to bring their own facilitator and have discussions without the help of museum facilitators.  Visitors will browse through the RACE exhibit and then hold two-hour discussions led by someone in their group.  These discussion circles are meant to be safe environments to talk about the major themes and issues brought up by the exhibit.
• Facilitated Group Visits:  Trained staff lead these discussions to inspire facilitated learning experiences.

FAMILIES

• Research tells us how important it is to talk to our children.  Many of us, though, don’t want to say the wrong thing so we often avoid the topic.  The Matrix Center and History Colorado will feature two workshops for families to learn the tools to have this great conversation.  The workshop also includes exploration time for kids in the museum and a guided tour of RACE.
  • 10/18:  How to Talk to Your Kids About Race:  All Families
  • 11/1 and 12/6:  How to Talk to Your Kids About Race: Adoptive Families
  • Downloadable family guides in English and Spanish are available on the History Colorado Center website.