Tension in Chatham County continues in the lead-up to the expected removal of a Confederate statue outside of the historic county courthouse next week. At this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, community members spoke for and against the action.
A rally in Pittsboro this past weekend reignited debate and tempers between those supporting the statue’s removal and those against it. During the public input session at the board’s meeting Monday night, the commissioners faced the ire of some community members upset over the looming removal of the monument.
The tensest interaction came after a resident used a racial slur twice after previously censoring any swearing, saying he was quoting a counter-protester from the weekend.
Chatham County commissioner Karen Howard quickly responded after the second use of the racial slur.
“I understand you think there may be times when it’s appropriate to use that word,” she said, “but if you’re going to [censor yourself earlier like you did], I think it would be equally appropriate to refrain from using that word.”
Commissioner Jim Crawford then said, “We got your stunt,” to which the resident insisted he was quoting a counter-protester.
There were also those who voiced their support of the commissioners during the public input session. Chatham County resident Adele Kelly said, “This is the right decision for Pittsboro in 2019. Our current demographics dictate that all residents of Pittsboro should feel comfortable in their surroundings.”
Resident Vickie Shea also added, “I’m sure you’ve received criticism and perhaps even abuse, but many Chatham citizens appreciate your good judgement and your courage.”
The commissioners voted for the statue’s removal in August. They ruled that the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which donated the monument in 1907, could propose a removal plan and find a different location for it. The UDC is not expected to present any plan before the removal deadline of October 31.
Howard spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck prior to the recent protest and board meeting. She said while the board does not expect anything too dramatic to happen the day of the upcoming deadline, she hopes the UDC eventually finds a solution to relocate the monument.
Howard said she has long been a supporter of finding a different spot for the statue but has learned from many residents upset over its removal that they had not heard her specific views.
“What that tells me is that there’s some difficult conversations that have to happen,” said Howard. “Both sides have to listen to each, we have to [notice] when the other side is not understanding the meaning or the message we’re intending to convey. We either need to restate our messages or get help having those conversations.”
The Confederate statue will be declared in public trespass of the Chatham County historic courthouse on November 1, commissioners have said.
Photo by Adrianne Cleven
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