|
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.
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 spring2. 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.
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 Center6 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.
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
References:
1. “Neo-Confederates." Southern Poverty Law Center.https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220883?t=9&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
2. “UNC's Deal to Give Confederate Group $2.5 million Comes Before Lawsuit.” News and Observer. December 2, 2019.https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220884?t=11&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
3. "Who is Silent Sam."University of North Carolina Library. 1912 - 1914. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220884?t=13&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
4."Sons of Confederate Veterans." SCV.org. December 3, 2019. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220886?t=15&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
5.“Read the Victory Letter a White Nationalist Sent His Followers After Receiving $2.5 million from UNC.” BoingBoing. December 5, 2019.https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220887?t=17&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
6.“UNC Center for Civil Rights Attorneys Are Out of A Job.” News & Observer. October 19, 2017. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220888?t=19&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
7.“No More Poverty in North Carolina:UNC Governing Board to Close School's Poverty Center.” Washington Post. February 5, 2015.https://act.colorofchange.org/go/220888?t=21&akid=39720%2E4731121%2ErFtxDQ
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.
If you're absolutely sure you don't want to hear from Color Of Change again, click here to unsubscribe.
