New Billboard Seeks to End Un-Fair Campaign
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 - 10:01pm
By:
Andrew Lovelette
Photojournalist:
Adam Jagunich
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
DULUTH - Nearly a year after the Un–Fair Campaign released attention-grabbing billboards to raise awareness of racism in Duluth, a new billboard has emerged.
This one is looking to put an end to the Un–Fair Campaign.
"With any issue as complicated as racism there's going to be a lot of different viewpoints and that's everyone's right," said Angie Miller, executive director of Community Action Duluth, a partnering member of the Un–Fair Campaign.
The billboard on Central Entrance reads "Diversity: Embrace It. Don't Deface it. Stop the Un–Fair Campaign."
It was created by a group, which views the Un–Fair Campaign as racist, targeting and dividing people instead of forming unity.
Miller says the billboard is a good first step to addressing racism, but argues the Un–Fair Campaign digs deeper.
“The Un-Fair Campaign goes on the next step, looking at the causes of racism in Duluth, looking at the resulting disparities in employment, education, housing, income and then actually doing something about those disparities," said Miller.
The image for the billboard, two hands forming the shape of one heart, comes from John D'Auria, who's not involved in either campaign. But, he believes his image is a positive one.
"In my opinion, personally little children just don't see race, they don't see color," said D’Auria.
While the billboard's goal is to persuade remaining partners to pull their support, original campaign members say they're committed to their cause.
Miller said, "We're still active, working together, moving forward and our own organizations are still taking action to address disparities."
Meanwhile, D'Auria hopes the billboard will teach the community a lesson.
"The message to me is why does anybody have to look at color? We should all just be able to live together, simple as that," said D’Auria.