*TW for racial violence*

This Friday, September 18th, marks the 105th anniversary for the monument dedication ceremony for the Confederate monument in Sylva, NC. Here's a #thread on the history of Confederate Monuments in NC, with a focus on Sylva's monument:

The monument was erected in the year 1915, the same year that the KKK was revived, and the racist film "The Birth of a Nation" debuted. It was also 50 years after the end of the Civil War. The monument was erected during the second wave of Confederate memorialization.

The first wave of Confederate memorialization occurred from the 1860s-1880s. Communities erected monuments in private places like cemeteries, and they were intended to mourn the dead. Across North Carolina, very few Confederate monuments were erected during this first wave.

During Reconstruction, NC was one of the most progressive Southern states. Black citizens could vote, run for office, & succeed in political life. From 1875-1900, NC sent 4 Black state representatives to congress. NC's next Black congressional rep wouldn't be elected until 1991.

The end of the 19th century saw a rise in white supremacy politics as a backlash to Black political success in NC. This led to the violent 1898 Wilmington race riot, a coup d'etat of 2,000+ white men that overthrew the legitimate local govt & killed 60+ Black citizens.

The second wave of Confederate memorials began in the wake of the coup in Wilmington and the height of white supremacy politics in the early 20th century. These monuments were erected in public spaces such as town squares and courthouses. They were intended to be seen by all.

Leading up to the day the monument was erected, Sylva's local newspaper, the Jackson County Journal, published various articles praising the bravery of the Confederate soldier & drummed up excitement for the event. One article stated that Confederates had "no apologies to make."

The Jackson County Journal anticipated it would be "the largest attended and happiest event in 63 years of county history." The townspeople of Sylva invited Julian Shakespeare Carr, a known pro-slavery white supremacist, to give the monument dedication remarks.

Carr is known for his monument dedication speech for Chapel Hill's Confederate monument, Silent Sam. In this speech, Carr recalls how he "horse-whipped a negro wench until her skirt hung in shreds," & claims that the Confederate soldier "saved the life of the Anglo Saxon race."

Carr was ultimately unable to give his speech, but Confederate general Theodore F. Davidson took his place. Davidson was championed as a "pure Thomas Jefferson Southern rebel," and believed it was "a delusion that the war had its origin in the existence of negro slavery."

On the day of Sylva's monument dedication, a free picnic dinner was served, and 3,000+ people attended. The steam engine offered discounted rates.

This day was not a somber memorial to the fallen soldier, but a joyous celebration for the long-lasting ideals of the Confederacy.

According to the census, Jackson County had 268 enslaved people in 1860. During the Civil War, only 164 men from Jackson County fought for the Confederacy. Sylva's Confederate monument doesn't represent the county's heritage, but is instead a symbol of white supremacy.

If you think that Sylva's Confederate monument has stood for 105 years too long, join us this Friday in our effort to #RallytoReconcile at 6:00 PM in Sylva's old courthouse parking lot. The event will include music, education, speakers, & more! Masks & social distancing required.