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REXBURG – An eastern Idaho woman is organizing an event to promote equality and unity after finding a racial slur painted on a building.
Graffiti Beauty & Barber, located at 111 West Main Street in Rexburg, is hosting an event called “Graffiti Day.” He will be on the job from 4 am to 7 pm on Saturday. It is a celebration of equality, art and culture. There will also be free tacos and giveaways.
Erin Gilbert from Sugar City is helping organize the event with the business owners.
“We’re trying to do something in our community that brings everyone together and lets them know that there are good people here,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert described the recent incident near the house she used to live in. She moved out with her family last month. She has three children, two of whom are African American. The day after she left, she found a racial slur painted in red on a local building.
The text said, “I don’t like (racial slur).” There was also a phallic symbol drawn above the words.
“I don’t know if it was meant for my children. I really hope it’s not because it’s not sad. It was very hurtful,” she said.
A racial slur was reported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office told EastidahoNews.com that the case remains under investigation.
Gilbert, along with other mothers and children, painted over his name so no one could read it.
“They feel like it should be a safe place for them to be, but apparently, there are still some people out there who don’t know any better,” Gilbert said. “That’s our goal, like, ‘Hey, you don’t know how this is going to affect people. You think it’s just one word.’ It’s really heartbreaking.”
That’s why she encourages people to come to the event on Saturday. In addition to the event, she said, there will be a “Chalk on the Block” activity starting at 8 p.m. that day.
Outside of Graffiti Beauty and Hair Salon is a sidewalk art competition, which will have a theme that reflects harmony and equality. Chalk will be provided, and the art must be completed by 4 p.m. The winner of the contest will receive a $500 cash prize.
“I think as a community it’s our job to be united in our stance on what’s safe and how we should treat people,” said Brandi Gordo, owner of Graffiti Beauty and Barber.
Gordo revealed that her husband is Spanish, and they have two biracial children. Her husband is a co-owner of the business, and they have been hosting the event for the past three years.
Our overall goal in opening a business called Gordo “Graffiti” was to introduce a different culture to Rexburg and provide a place for people from all walks of life.
Leading up to the event, Gordo created a video and interviewed several people in the community about what equality means to them. Look at the player above.
She looks forward to the event and says it grows every year.
“This is where we celebrate and give back to our community and also promote a culture that’s not normally found here,” Gordo said.
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