Nota bene: I am not affiliated with the Un-Fair Campaign; I am simply an "import" to Duluth who, over the years I've lived here, can attest to the need for such discussions in our community.

A partnership of 15 community organizations, institutions and agencies, the Un-Fair Campaign is intended as “an educational campaign to raise awareness about white privilege in our community, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that results in fundamental, systemic change towards racial justice.” The campaign was launched on January 24 with 1) a press-conference at which organizers explained the campaign and at which Duluth Mayor Don Ness read a proclamation of support, 2) the unveiling of the billboards and 3) the distribution of campaign materials by partner organizations. A series of community workshops, films and readings have been planned in support of the campaign, including a public lecture by Tim Wise at 6:00 PM on February 16 in the Kirby Ballroom on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

In a message to the UMD campus community, Chancellor Lendley Black offers his perspective on the campaign's significance for both the University and the broader community, and succinctly describes the goal of the campaign:

The first step is recognizing that racism and inequality exist. It is hard to see racism when one is white because it is difficult to understand the inequality around you when you are not subjected to daily acts of discrimination and intolerance. As the problems are ingrained in the fabric of our society, advancing equity, diversity, and social justice requires persistence and long-term work.

I'll admit that I find nothing said at the press-conference by representatives of partner organizations, or by Mayor Ness or by Chancellor Black to be particularly controversial. Rather, they are all pointing to a fundamental truth regarding race and privilege in American society generally, from which the Twin Ports are certainly not exempt.

There has been, however, a fairly vocal defensive backlash against the Un-Fair Campaign not only within the community but also from commenters across the country.

Duluth News Tribune, Backlash slams “Un-Fair” anti-racism campaign in Twin Ports A campaign designed to bring people together and inspire a community discussion about the effects of racism has produced some strong reactions in the Twin Ports and beyond — including what Mayor Don Ness called "threats" and "hateful messages" from around the world. Locally, several people say they are offended by the Un-Fair Campaign, less than one week after it was launched to draw attention to racial inequalities in Duluth and Superior. The campaign uses billboards and other ads and events to say that racism is still a problem in the community.

While I certainly have issues with the manner in which Mayor Ness and his administration deal with some issues in our community, I am nonetheless proud of his reply to the hateful messages:



White supremacists from all over the world are sending me threats and some of the most hateful messages I’ve ever read. The racism I’ve seen this weekend is all the proof I need that we need good people to step up. No, the unfair campaign is not calling all white people racists. It’s saying white folk need to be part of the solution. And I’m not backing down from that. Will you join me?

Are the billboards and other campaign materials "edgy" and "provocative"? Yes, I think they are. Yet if they manage to knock even a few bricks loose from the wall-of-silence about inequality and justice in Duluth, then I will consider it a job well done.