After I visited Discovery Place’s new exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different? I felt that the exhibit name was actually a misnomer of sorts.

Yes, the exhibit explores the history of the concept of race and

how it has been used for centuries to keep economic and political elites in power (without getting preachy about it). And it explains the science of human variation and how, in the grand scheme of things, our similarities are far more significant and compelling than our superficial – yes, literally skin deep – differences.

To me, what this fascinating exhibit is really about is: What does it mean to be human?’

Discovery Place and the exhibit’s creator, the American Anthropological Association, recognize that the question is at the heart of the exhibit, which has been designed to encourage conversation and dialogue. Each of the interactive kiosks asks open-ended questions or literally makes you see things in new and different ways.

For example, one of the first things you see when you enter the exhibit area is the “Race Off” face morphing video, where individuals of one race and ethnicity change before your eyes to someone looking completely different. Yet the process is so slow and subtle, you can never point to the moment when a person has become “something else.”

There are lots of places for people to sit – which has nothing to do for the need to rest. John Mackay, the museum’s president, explained why: “We want to offer comfortable places where people can talk – either with the friends or family they came with – or with complete strangers.

“We are, after all, a science museum, and this exhibit offers a different way to approach race and racism for a new way of thinking about humanity.  Biology does not support the concept of race.”

The exhibit will make visitors question their preconceptions and assumptions about racial identity – or recognize them for the first time. At one kiosk, visitors listen to various voices and then have to choose who the speaker is from a group of people of different ethnicities.

At another kiosk, we’re shown the names of various nationalities, and we have to label them as White, Not White or Don’t Know. The exercise made me realize that for me, European and white are pretty much synonymous – despite what shade their skin may be.

Skin color, it turns out, is a function of where our ancient ancestors come from.  For protection against the sun, early humans were darker the closer they lived to the tropics. New discoveries and DNA analysis have confirmed that humanity originated in Africa. So we are all Africans.

What a wonderful new way of looking at the world and the people who dwell in it!

Discovery Place, 301 No. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704.372.6261 www.discoveryplace.org www.understandingrace.org Exhibit runs through May 8 Tickets: $9-$12 Open Weekdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Wednesdays until 7 pm); Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.