[UPDATE] Former UNC Black Athletes Make Statement on Silent Sam Situation

Friday, Dec. 14

2:40 pm

The following is an update from a trusted source who asks to be identified as a group of Black alumni (not necessarily affiliated with the Black Athlete Statement):

1. Things will not let up regardless of closed door conversations with a few select people.

2. Hark the Drum! is a group of Black alumni (including athletes) working on long-standing inequity concerns at UNC.

3. We are united regardless of who opts out. UNC can do better for everyone, and we must not sit on the sidelines. 

4. We really miss Dean Smith’s courage and leadership too.

The UNC Board of Governors announced today that they will not support the recommendation for a $5.3 million new building for Silent Sam. A committee has been formed to come up with a new recommendation by March 15th. 

Spectacular Magazine will continue to update this developing story.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday Dec. 13

CHAPEL HILL, NC –  Today (Dec. 13, 2018) former UNC athletes released a statement concerning UNC Chancellor Carol Folt and the Board of Trustees’ $5.3 million proposed solution for Silent Sam to the UNC Board of Governors.

Today’s letter and petition is different from the letter and petition that was sent to Folt, Dean Kevin Guskiewicz, Dean Steve Matson, the UNC Board of Trustees, the UNC Board of Governors, the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Historical Commission by current and former University of North Carolina Student-Athletes Against Silent Sam.

Black Athlete Statement – December 13, 2018

To: The UNC Community and Alumni

We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent proposal to erect a building on south campus to house the Confederate Monument (aka Silent Sam).

First, to the UNC current athletes: As former Carolina athletes, we recognize the very difficult position current scholarship athletes face in joining a public protest against this representation of white supremacy on our campus. For those of you who decide to speak up and stand with other students, staff and faculty who are against this multi-million dollar investment for the housing of the statue, we applaud your courage and conviction. We support your right to express your democratic right of freedom of speech. You should not be fearful of repercussion. We would have liked to have heard the opinion of the athletic department leadership and coaches regarding this disposition of Silent Sam…especially in light of the high number of Black athletes who have participated on the basketball, football and track and field teams over the history of Carolina athletics. Their silence is very glaring and tells us a story.

We agree with the 500+ member Black Student Movement statement that Black students and faculty are often used by the university as “accessories.” We were a part of that sacrifice and branding. We helped to tell the story that Carolina is the “University of the People.” We love UNC but now also feel a disconnect from an institution that was unwilling to listen to students and faculty who asked for Silent Sam to be permanently removed from campus. The recommendation is embarrassing to us who proudly promote UNC.

This “slap in the face” is not new to African Americans though. We have learned and observed many times in U.S. history whereby institutions turn their backs on marginalized people. Thus, we know this struggle will continue. We make a pledge to stay informed and connected with our voice and resources to activists who will work to bring justice and light to matters at UNC. This is crisis time at Carolina, and we feel that a clear shot has been fired. It hurts us like it hurts many of you living and working in Chapel Hill.

Do know that we hear and support you in your efforts to bring attention to this wrongful decision.

Hark the Drum!

Harrison Barnes, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Marvin Williams, Danny Green, Tony Bradley, Reggie Bullock, Ed Davis, Wayne Ellington, Raymond Felton, John Henson, Isaiah Hicks, Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson, Ademola Okujala, JR Reid, David Noel, Damion Grant, Kennedy Meeks, Makhtar N’Diaye, Vassil Evtimov, George Lynch, Ed Geth, Quentin Thomas, Leslie McDonald, Justin Watts, Brendan Haywood, Terrance Newby, Joel James, Brice Johnson, Deon Thompson, Brian Ellerby, Chelsea Townsend, Hayley McCorckle, Travis Bond, William Sweet, J.K. Britt, Keith Beasly. And more…as communications go forth across the network.

Spectacular Magazine will update this developing story as more information becomes available.