Opinion

Editorial: Actions of few can't distract from dealing with monuments of Jim Crow past

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 -- It is important not to get distracted by the inappropriate actions of a few. They will be held to account by the appropriate civil and university authorities. It is time to set aside the obstructions - particularly those erected by the leaders of the General Assembly - that prevent appropriate disposition of symbols of racial subjugation and intimidation.

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CBC Editorial: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018; Editorial #8337
The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company
It was not a question of if “Silent Sam,” the monument to the resurgence of Jim Crow segregation in North Carolina on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, would come down. Rather when and how.
While the fate of “Silent Sam” was inevitable, there is NO condoning the actions and vandalism of Monday night that brought the statue down. It is fortunate no one was hurt. The fate of public property, no matter how despicable the message it sends, should not be determined by individual or group impulse.
Now, having made that clear, it is critically important not to get distracted by the inappropriate actions of a few. They are responsible for their acts and will be held to account by the appropriate civil and university authorities.

It is time to set aside the obstructions – particularly those erected by the “return-to-the-bad-old-days” leaders of the General Assembly – that prevent appropriate disposition of these symbols of racial subjugation and intimidation.

The ill-conceived 2015 law that essentially requires an act of the legislature to remove these monuments – most of which are local and not state property – has only fueled frustration, promoted confrontation and impulsive action. In the case of “Silent Sam,” it cost hundreds of thousands to protect the monument and tied the hands of UNC administrators who months ago could have taken actions that might have prevented Monday’s vandalism.

What is needed are opportunities for discussion, local reconciliation and local resolution.

A year ago, Gov. Roy Cooper offered up a reasonable solution as he’s sought to address the monuments to the Confederacy that rest on the State Capitol lawns. His concept is worthy of exploration and embrace. Seize an opportunity for reflection and education.

George Santayana was, of course, right when he said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Cooper has suggested moving the Capitol’s monuments to the Bentonville battleground in Johnston County, site of the last full-scale action of the Civil War.
There, these statues can be displayed with appropriate context and explanation – no “dog whistles” of subtle intimidation nor propaganda.
When the North Carolina Historical Commission meets today it should approve Cooper’s plans for those Capitol monuments.

More directly, the General Assembly needs to repeal its cumbersome 2015 law. They need to give back to communities their ability to engage all people locally and provide appropriate ways to address these symbols of the South and a North Carolina that never was.

The continued presence of these Jim Crow relics, without much-needed context, prevents too many from moving ahead to the better state that North Carolina should be.

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