Wednesday, November 06, 2024

Commercial tobacco has evolved in some ways over the years, from loose tobacco and regular cigarettes to menthols, chew, flavored cigars, orbs, and e-cigs, among many other products. For decades, tobacco companies have advertised their products across the country impacting all Americans, regardless of ethnicity or culture, however, date shows that the tobacco industry has disproportionately impacted the Black communities with menthol by appropriating Black culture. It can be said that it’s the Same Game, just Different Smokers. The story now is coming to Fond du Lac.

The national exhibition, Same Game Different Smokers, is an exploration of the troubling 400+ year relationship between the tobacco industry and Black America, and the tobacco industry’s propensity to utilize time-tested tactics to target other groups.

Developed and curated by artist and activist Tracy Brown, the exhibit examines the connections between the Tobacco Industry’s role in the birth and evolution of slavery in America, targeted marketing through the decades, and the over promotion of menthol cigarettes and now e-cigarettes to many populations including African Americans. The exhibition is sponsored by the Wisconsin Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program, its’ national partner the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network.

Same Game Different Smokers has been brought to Fond du Lac by the East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention, in partnership with Fond du Lac Public Library.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to bring this meaningful and thought provoking national exhibit to Fond du Lac,” said Johanna Brotz, Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Coordinator for East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention. “The exhibition will help residents learn more about the tobacco industry’s predatory playbook, and promote advocacy that protects future generations from the harms of tobacco.”

The exhibition will be housed at the Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St., from Nov. 7 through Dec. 7. Organizers also plan to host educational events related to the exhibit.

"The Fond du Lac Public Library is glad to have been given the opportunity to host this exhibit," Library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse said. "Educating the community about the dangers of tobacco use fits with our goal of supporting a high quality of life in Fond du Lac through reading, lifelong learning and community involvement."

The exhibition was commissioned by the California-based African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC). Prior to it’s opening in Fond du Lac, the Same Game Different Smokers was featured at the Washington Park Branch Library in Milwaukee, the Beloit Public Library and the Uptown Neighborhood Library in Kenosha. The exhibit is touring the state under the leadership of the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, in partnership with Carol McGruder, co-founder and co-chair of the AATCLC and Bridges Diasporic Arts Director Tracy Brown.

For more information, visit SameGameWi.com.