No More Black Targets uses art to fight gun violence

The causes of racial bias are not always obvious, but the statistics on gun violence are. Black men are three times more likely to be shot during a confrontation with police than white men, and the new activist art campaign #nomoreblacktargets was founded on one possible reason for that.

Launched last month with the backing of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, the group wants to end the use of black silhouettes as targets on shooting ranges. They point to a University of Illinois study that showed people are both faster and more likely to shoot at black targets than white ones, which could carry over when they’re faced with a real-life black person.

In response, local and international artists have taken up the campaign’s challenge to turn these black targets into works of art, which have been collected into a one-night-only show at Richard Taittinger Gallery (154 Ludlow St.) this Sunday, Feb. 19. Connect with fellow social justice-minded New Yorkers over complimentary drinks from 9 p.m. to midnight; admission is free with RSVP.

To support the campaign, sign their petition at Change.org and visit their website to create your own digital target art.