A crowd gathered on a warm afternoon this week at the steps of Carrboro Town Hall.

They were there for the unveiling ceremony of a new historical marker next to the building’s main entrance. The Truth Plaque includes the early history of Carrboro around the turn of the 20th century and talks about the town’s namesake, Julian S. Carr, noting Carr’s ties to racial segregation.

Rani Dasi, a member of the task force behind the plaque and a local school board member, read the plaque aloud at the ceremony.

“Although the town continues to bear his name, the values and actions of Carr do not represent Carrboro today.”

The plaque also touches on the work of residents on issues of social justice in more recent decades.

“Thanks to their commitment, today Carrboro honors its working-class roots while reaching towards the goals of social equity, environmental harmony and fiscal responsibility.”

Carrboro Aldermen Jacquie Gist spoke, as well. She said the committee behind the Truth Plaque came together following the 2017 White Nationalist rally in Charlottesville. Though Carrboro is not perfect, she said, “we are dedicated to each other, and that’s why the truth is important.”

“Will we ever get it perfect? I don’t think so. But we won’t get anywhere near there if we don’t keep working,” Gist said. “So, this is an important thing to do; it’s a symbolic thing to do, but it certainly isn’t the only thing to do.”

Gist said she was looking forward to working with the Truth Plaque task force on future projects.

Next, they will turn their attention to the Freedman’s School and Hackney school on East Main Street near Merritt Mill Road.

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