Commercial tobacco has evolved over the years, from loose tobacco and regular cigarettes to menthols, chew, flavored cigars, orbs, and e-cigs, among many other products. One thing that hasn’t changed is the historic targeting and abuse of Black communities and others by the tobacco industry. It can be said that it’s the Same Game, just Different Smokers, and this story is coming to Kenosha.
The national exhibition, Sa
me Game Different Smokers, is an exploration of the troubling 400+ year relationship between the tobacco industry and Black America. Developed and curated by artist and artivist 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 African Americans, LGBTQ+, Latinx, youths and other groups.
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 Kenosha by the KRW Tobacco-Free Coalition Coordinator, in partnership with Kenosha Public Library.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to bring this meaningful and thought provoking exhibit to Kenosha,” said Sonja Thompson, KRW Tobacco-Free Coalition Coordinator. “This display will help educate residents and promote advocacy for change that will promote health and protect future generations from the harms of tobacco.”
The exhibition was initially commissioned by the California-based African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC). Prior to its opening in Kenosha, the Same Game Different Smokers was featured at the Washington Park Branch Library in Milwaukee and the Beloit Public Library. It is scheduled to continue to tour throughout 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.
“The exhibition aligns perfectly with the goals of our library system, to engage and educate visitors from our community and beyond. We continually strive to provide opportunities to support the health and well-being of our citizens,” said Marcia Siehr, Head of Outreach, Programs & Education for Kenosha Public Library.
This exhibit is now open at the Kenosha Public Library- Uptown Neighborhood Library, 2419 63rd St. until Saturday, October 26th, 2024.
For more info visit SameGameWi.com.
For additional resources to quit tobacco or vaping:
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