April 23: ‘Dialogue on Race’ at Chelsea District Library

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kathie Gourlay and Joanne Ladio for the information in this story.)

There will be a Chelsea community ‘Dialogue on Race’ on Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the McKune Room at the Chelsea District Library.

This discussion will be led by two facilitators form the University of Michigan’s Understanding Race Project. The discussion is an opportunity to share reactions to the current Exhibit on Race at the U-M Natural History Museum.

The exhibit “Race: Are We So Different?” is a touring national exhibit that will be on display through May 27 at the museum in Ann Arbor, and it’s open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

The idea of “race” has been used historically to describe differences between people and to justify mistreatment of people and even genocide, according to the press release. Today, contemporary scientific understanding of human variation is beginning to challenge “racial” differences and even challenge the very concept of race.

This exhibit developed by American Anthropological Association is the first national exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural and historical points of view. Combining these perspectives offers an unprecedented look at race in the United States.

Attendees to the Chelsea event are encouraged to view the exhibit before the discussion. It will be the common experience from which participants can start the dialogue.

A group from Chelsea will be viewing the exhibit on Sunday, April 21, leaving Chelsea about noon. Everyone is welcome to tour the exhibit with fellow

Chelsea residents but this is not essential.

U-M created an Understanding Race Project, an audience engagement initiative. It has trained group facilitators to help with the discussions that will be occurring all over Washtenaw County while the exhibit is in Ann Arbor.

The facilitators are always of mixed ethnic or cultural backgrounds to help the discussions. All 10 school districts in the county have participated with extensive involvement by nonprofits, governments agencies and community members.

This Chelsea discussion has been organized by a group of Chelsea citizens representing no particular organization. It is an opportunity for us to examine our thoughts on race and how it affects our families, our town and the larger community.

For additional information, contact Kathie Gourlay [email protected] or Joanne Ladio [email protected], 734-748-3564.