Thursdays, Feb 19 & Feb 26, 7-9pm, Downtown Public Library, New Bedford MA.

The New Bedford Human Relations Committee presents a 3-part film-screening of:

Race: The Power of an Illusion

RACE-The Power of an Illusion is a provocative three-hour series that questions the very idea of race as biology.  Scientists tell us that believing in biological races is no more sound than believing the sun, revolves around the earth. So, if race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from? And why should it matter today?

Episode 2- “The Story We Tell” uncovers the roots of the race concept including the 19th century science that legitimated it and the hold it has gained over our minds,explaining everything from individual behavior to the fate of whole societies an idea that persists to this day.,
February 19, 2009, 7-9 PM, Downtown Public Library, New Bedford, MA

Panelist:
Marlene Pollack, New Bedford School Committee, Educator, Bristol Community College
Dr. Bruce Rose, Provost of Academic Affairs, University of Massachusetts
Dawn Blake Souza, Retired Principal of Campbell Elementary School
Fred Fuentes, Asst. Superintendent of Equity and Diversity for New Bedford Public Schools

Episode 3-“ The House We Live in”, focuses not on individual behaviors and attitudes, but on how our institutions shape and create race, giving different groups vastly unequal life chances.
 February 26, 2009-7-9PM Downtown Public Library, New Bedford, MA

Panelist:
Dr. Laurie Robertson-Lorrant, Educator and Writer
Dan Gilbarg, Coalition Against Poverty/Coalition for Social Justice
Darcy Fernandes,Principal, Roosevelt Middle School
Dr. Joseph Zack Souza, Retired U.S. Air Force Psychologist