TITLE: Title
Truth Plaque Task Force Presentation
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for members of the Truth Plaque Task Force to present their recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
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DEPARTMENT: Town Clerk
CONTACT INFORMATION: Cathy Dorando, 919-918-7309
INFORMATION: On May 1, 2018 the Board of Aldermen directed staff to work with the community to gather input for the possible installation of a “truth plaque” that will detail the ugly truth of the racist history of Julian Carr, the Town’s namesake.
The Truth Plaque Task Force was comprised of Alderman Gist and the following citizen members:
|
First Name |
Last Name |
|
Mae |
McLendon |
|
Braxton |
Foushee |
|
Terri |
Buckner |
|
Gary |
Phillips |
|
Jonathan |
Gerard |
|
Richard |
Ellington |
|
Lynn |
Steinberg |
|
Jake |
Thorne |
|
Nicholas |
Graham |
|
Rani |
Dasi |
|
Lillie |
Atwater |
|
Lewis |
Atwater |
|
Delores |
Clark |
|
Charles |
Alston |
|
Nate |
Davis |
The Task Force met in 2018 on September 5th, October 10th, October 30th, and November 13th, and again on January 22, 2019.
At the January 22, 2019 meeting of the Carrboro Truth Plaque committee, they agreed upon the following wording for the plaque:
Carrboro’s roots began in the late 19th century when a branch of the North Carolina Railroad extended south to the edge of Chapel Hill, and the first local textile mill opened nearby. Informally known as West End and Lloydville, the community incorporated as a town named Venable in 1911.
Two years later, the state legislature renamed the town Carrboro at the request of Julian S. Carr, a post-Civil War business leader. He was also an active and influential participant in Jim Crow era efforts to create a system of racial segregation. Although the town continues to bear his name, the values and actions of Carr do not represent Carrboro today.
In the 1970s a group of Carrboro residents joined together to change the town's power structure and advocate for a community that fully included all residents. Thanks to their commitment, today Carrboro honors its working-class roots while reaching toward the goals of social equity, environmental harmony, and fiscal responsibility.
Adopted by unanimous vote as follows:
Lillie Atwater, Terri Buckner, Delores Clark, Rani Dasi, Braxton Foushee, Charles Alston, Lewis Atwater, Nick Graham, Mae McLendon, Richard Ellington
The Task Force will present the above text for the Board’s consideration of approval.
The Task Force will also request that the Board allow further exploration of additional plaques to tell a broader history of Carrboro.
They will also share their chosen site (left side of front door at Town Hall) and the following ‘lessons learned’ if the Board supports their request for additional plaques:
1. Clear expectations for the text of the plaque (size of plaque, tone such as history or explanation, etc.)
2. Smaller committee
3. Planning committee to address the full range of topics/sites before any further writing begins
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Estimates for the plaque material and installation are around $3,000.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board of Aldermen receive the report from the Truth Plaque Task Force and provide direction to staff on how to proceed.