A recent poll conducted by Elon University found a majority of North Carolinians prefer for Confederate monuments to stay in place instead of being removed from public property.

The online survey of nearly 1,500 North Carolinians found 65 percent believe such monuments should remain on public, government-owned property, with 35 percent saying they should be removed.

When exploring additional ways to present or contextualize Confederate statues and monuments, the survey found 72 percent believe adding informational plaques are a good idea. 65 percent supported the idea of moving them to history museums, while 37 percent supported erecting statues to honor those who fought to end slavery.

Examining the results show a stark difference, however, between responses for North Carolinians of different races. 77 percent of white residents say the Confederate monuments should remain where they are, while just 27 percent of black residents agree. There is a wide margin between those affiliated with political parties too, with 91 percent of Republicans support keeping the statues on public property compared to just 36 percent of Democrats. 77 percent of independents said they want the monuments to remain as well.

Elon conducted the poll shortly after the removal of the Confederate statue in Chatham County, which came down after the county’s Board of Commissioners voted to relocate it in August.

Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck in October about the tension around the Confederate monument ahead of its relocation from the county’s historic courthouse. She said a better understanding between the side supporting the monument’s removal and the side against it is needed to prevent the divisive discourse around such statues.

“That’s the perception from both sides: you either do what I want, or you haven’t done the right thing,” Howard said. “I think what both sides need to be able to hear is what the feelings are being evoked by the other side. [In this case], I think a large part of it is [the pro-statue residents] felt disrespected, so it doesn’t matter what we said. That’s important, that’s a lesson.”

Another long-time Confederate monument in Orange County had its future decided after Elon released the poll results. The statue known as Silent Sam has been given to the Sons of Confederate Veterans by UNC, meaning it will not return to its long-time spot on McCorkle Place.

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