Pepperdine students had the opportunity to do the impossible this week. By stepping inside a device called the Human Race Machine set up in the Waves Cafe students could see themselves as they would look as a member of another race.
The machine which resembles a photo booth takes a picture of the person inside. That photograph is then edited by adding ethnic features on top of the original photo. By layering facial characteristics of different races onto the face several photos appear showing the student what they would look like if they were another race.
The underlying mission of the machine is to demonstrate the fact that our DNA is 99.97% identical; essentially that “there is no gene for race.”
The machine was brought to Pepperdine in order to eliminate race as such a taboo topic. “We wanted it to be a fun way to talk about race said Don Lawrence, director of intercultural affairs at Pepperdine. It’s a way to lessen the intensity of the topic.”
Junior Matt Deseno said the most effective part of the Human Race Machine experience was the questionnaire on racial diversity. “The survey was about 20 questions but most people averaged 3 correct. It was an eye opening experience on how ignorant we are on race Deseno said.
The diversity experience gave students the opportunity to step away from skin color and realize how easily race is altered. The Human Race Machine allows us to move beyond our appearance in order to contemplate a deeper human connection Lawrence explained.