Statement from the University of Minnesota Duluth on the Un-Fair Campaign
Contacts: Chuck Tombarge, University News Service, (612) 624-5551
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/03/2012) --The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) has indefinitely suspended its membership in the Duluth-area Un-Fair Campaign pending a change in the campaign's emphasis and creative approach. The campaign's recent public service announcement (PSA) and its focus on white privilege are divisive and have alienated some UMD alumni, supporters and others in the broader community.
At UMD Chancellor Lendley C. Black's request, the controversial public service announcement was pulled from the campaign's website on June 28 (it had not been aired publicly). Representatives from the 18 partners of the Un-Fair Campaign met on Monday, July 2. While they reaffirmed the group's fundamental goals to promote racial equality and create a constructive dialogue about eliminating racism, they also recognize the messaging and creative emphasis has been divisive. A subcommittee has been formed to reassess the messaging. The partners will reconvene on July 17 to discuss whether to change the creative direction.
UMD continues to advance its strategic goal of creating a positive and inclusive campus climate for all by advancing equity, diversity and social justice
(http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/planning/). UMD also remains committed to collaborating with area educational, civic and social service agency colleagues on productive approaches to these challenging issues.
