The University of North Carolina gave the Sons of Confederate Veterans
$2.5 million

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The University of North Carolina is funding the Sons of Confederate
Veterans instead of its Civil Rights and Poverty Centers

[ [link removed] ]Take Action

Dear John,

The University of North Carolina (UNC) is currently providing financial
support for the headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Funding
for this hate-filled group came at the expense of two university centers:
the Center on Poverty and Workforce Development and the Center for Civil
Rights. There's no mistaking what's unacceptable about this. A state
university is prioritizing funding for a certified hate group,^1 whose
primary function is to promote white supremacy, over institutions that
respond to the needs of Black people and vulnerable communities. 

[ [link removed] ]Tell the University of North Carolina governing board it should not be
funding the Sons of Confederate Veterans

 

In addition, UNC gave the Sons of Confederate Veterans $2.5 million to
keep its “Silent Sam” Confederate statue after students and other
university supporters removed it last spring^2. The Sons of Confederate
Veterans is a violent organization. The statue was erected in 1913 by a
former UNC trustee as he whipped a Black woman for insulting it.^3 Their
mission statement, “committing to the vindication of the Civil War,^4” is
a continuous reminder that they are heavily invested in a return to
slavery. The way the governing board has bent over backwards for
neo-Confederates makes its actions loud and clear: the University of North
Carolina system does not foster a community that cares about Black lives.

[ [link removed] ]Sign our petition demanding the Board of Governors stop funding white
supremacy with state university dollars.

After the governing board’s $2.5 million contribution was disclosed, the
Sons of Confederate Veterans referred to the outcome as a victory,
following their unsuccessful attempt to sue the university for the student
removal of this tribute to slavery. The governing board insisted on
secrecy surrounding their funding and did not want the $2.5million
donation to be made public.^5 The Board’s failed attempts to censor these
dealings tell us even they knew they were wrong. 

The most shameful thing about all this is the university is funding hate
at the expense of two essential centers that would truly support and grow
the institution and surrounding community. The governing board fired the
attorneys affiliated with the Civil Rights Center^6 and had to return
funds that supported its Center on Poverty and Workforce
Development.^7  For the Board of Governors to use the university's
platform and money in this way is a slap in the face to justice-minded
North Carolinians and any Black person affiliated with the university.The
University of North Carolina Board of Governors is a part of a violent
cornerstone of the white South that ensures Black people remain in
political, economic, and social subordination. We must push back.

[ [link removed] ]Tell the Board of Governors to stop funding Confederate hate.

 

 Until justice is real, 

-Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Amanda, Evan, Johnny, Eesha, Future, Marcus,
Samantha, FolaSade, and the rest of the Color Of Change team

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References:

1. “Neo-Confederates." Southern Poverty Law
Center.[ [link removed] ][link removed]

2. “UNC's Deal to Give Confederate Group $2.5 million Comes Before
Lawsuit.” News and Observer. December 2,
2019.[ [link removed] ][link removed]

3. "Who is Silent Sam."University of North Carolina Library. 1912 - 1914.
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

4."Sons of Confederate Veterans." SCV.org. December 3, 2019.
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

5.“Read the Victory Letter a White Nationalist Sent His Followers After
Receiving $2.5 million from UNC.” BoingBoing.  December 5,
2019.[ [link removed] ][link removed]

6.“UNC Center for Civil Rights Attorneys Are Out of A Job.” News &
Observer. October 19, 2017.
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

7.“No More Poverty in North Carolina:UNC Governing Board to Close School's
Poverty Center.” Washington Post.  February 5,
2015.[ [link removed] ][link removed]


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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.

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