UNC students, faculty and community members were given the chance to directly address the university Board of Trustees today at a public comment session held at the Chancellor’s Ballroom at the Carolina Inn regarding Silent Sam.
The session was called by board chair Haywood Cochrane, at the urging of Chancellor Carol Folt, who stated that campus safety is a priority along with delivering an accurate depiction of the university’s history.
“We are committed, as we’ve said many times in the past, to sharing the full and accurate story of our university’s history, and continue to work with Chancellor Folt and her task force on UNC-Chapel Hill history, and on the Confederate Monument and other issues,” said Cochrane.
Many of the speakers, including UNC History Professor Fitzhugh Brundage, believe that the moving of the monument would not inhibit the university from telling that story.
“As a historian, I am keenly aware of the need to preserve history,” said Brundage. “To advocate that the monument be moved is not to advocate the erasure of history.”
Brundage goes on to state that keeping Silent Sam is a threat to public safety.
“The continued presence of this monument in its current location is a threat to the safety of the people of our university and it is a daily affront,” said Brundage. “That it is an affront is clear.”
Other speakers went on to comment on the blundered undercover operation by UNC Police Officer Hector Borges and questioned whether the university’s goal was to protect their students or spy on them.
This was the message of Maya Little, a graduate student and teacher’s assistant in the History Department.
“Free speech is not a crime,” said Little. “Fighting for racial justice is not a crime, and we should not be treated like criminals. I ask you all, in an effort to create real transparency at this university to foster an atmosphere of actual respect and inclusivity for your students, faculty and staff, to take a stand against the use of police surveillance, infiltration and sabotage on our campus.”
While the vast majority of speakers were staunchly pro-removal of Silent Sam, a few alumni came out in support of the statue, such as James Ward.
“The statue should remain because it is a memorial to these sons of the university; it should remain because it tells a part of the history of the university; it should remain because this university should not succumb to any group because it demonstrates the most and shouts the loudest,” said Ward.
UNC senior Mario Benavente mentioned the dangers and threat of violence that he and other protestors have faced.
“I was there when three folks from out of town decided to come in and ask us what we would do if they came back with more of their friends, and if they came back with guns, what would we do then?” said Benavente.
Emotions ran high for some speakers such as Maya Roberson, a second year doctoral student who says she avoids the side of campus with Silent Sam every day.
“You may be tempted to call me a coddled millennial, and that is fine. But I am a human, I am black, and I am fed up,” said Roberson.
Perhaps the most poignant part of the session came when UNC undergrad Miriam Madison recited the song “Strange Fruit,” which was made popular by Billie Holiday.
Despite continued community outrage and protest, Folt and the Board of Trustees have yet to speak out for the removal of the statue saying they are not able to issue that order due to a 2015 state law that prevents the removal of “objects of remembrance.”
Folt and Cochrane both ended the session by thanking everyone that spoke.
Photo via Blake Hodge
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