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UMD Partners in UnFair Campaign


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UMD has joined with 14 Duluth community organizations as a partner in the UnFair Campaign, a major anti-racism effort focusing on the role white people can play in addressing racial disparities. The UnFair Campaign seeks to raise awareness about white privilege in the community, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that result in fundamental, systemic change towards racial justice.

Developed in Duluth, the UnFair Campaign was launched at a news conference in Duluth City Hall. UMD Chancellor Lendley C. Black participated in the news conference, along with Mayor Don Ness and representatives of other campaign partner organizations.

With the tagline “It's hard to see racism when you're white,” the campaign will attempt to heighten attention to white privilege and encourage dialogue through posters, billboards, the campaign’s website, public workshops, guest speakers, community reads, films, and facilitated discussions.

"The UnFair Campaign’s goals are fundamental to the change we are working to achieve at UMD," said Chancellor Black. "Our Strategic Plan provides the framework for realizing a learning and working environment that reflects the values of equity, diversity, and social justice. The first step is recognizing that racism and inequality exist."

On Monday, January 30, the film Mirrors of Privilege, Making Whiteness Visible will be shown from noon-1:30 p.m., in the Griggs Center.  
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Tim Wise, author of Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and other books, will speak on February 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom.  

For more information about the initiative and for a list of community events, visit: http://unfaircampaign.org. The images on this web page are part of their campaign.

UMD is sponsoring activities on campus. Tim Wise, author of Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and other books, will be on our campus on February 16 for a lecture at 6:00 p.m., in the Kirby Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public and all are encouraged to participate. Also during that day, Wise will interact with students, faculty and staff at a series of group conversations.

Another opportunity to participate is to attend the film series that kicks off on Monday, January 30, with Mirrors of Privilege, Making Whiteness Visible. The film will be shown from noon-1:30 p.m., in the Griggs Center. Other films will be shown throughout Spring Semester. For a complete listing and for other events both on and off campus, visit: http://unfaircampaign.org. For more information about UMD's Campus Climate initiatives, see: http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/climate/.

The UnFair Campaign raises issues about how hard it is to see racism when one is not subjected to daily acts of discrimination and intolerance. The 14 Duluth community organizations understand that problems are ingrained in the fabric of our society, and advancing equity, diversity, and social justice requires persistence and long-term work.

"I am committed to stay the course and work with students, faculty, staff, and the community until we reach our goals," said Chancellor Black. "I look forward to participating with in the UnFair Campaign’s activities, both on and off campus."

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Contact Cheryl Reitan, creitan@d.umn.edu

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