Undersigned UNC SILS Faculty Statement on Silent Sam

We, the undersigned UNC School of Information and Library Science faculty, respectfully join students and faculty from across the UNC campus to request that the administration remove the monument of the Confederate soldier, known as Silent Sam, from McCorkle Place.

As researchers and professionals who study, and work to improve the institutions and systems that hold knowledge, we understand the value of remembering. We also recognize that historical documents, improperly contextualized, can have dangerous implications for the present.

Silent Sam represents the history and legacies of white supremacy, bigotry, hatred, and violence perpetrated against African-Americans in the United States, North Carolina, and on our campus. Silent Sam’s continued presence symbolizes a continued disregard for the dignity, safety, and intrinsic value of the students of color on the Carolina campus, and in the state of North Carolina.

Proof of the real danger to students, staff, and faculty posed by such a symbol of hatred has been seen recently in rallies turned to riots in Charlottesville and elsewhere.

Additionally, Silent Sam’s presence on our campus is in contrast to our values, which call for Information and Library Science professionals to challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination and to support anti-racist work. Finally, Silent Sam stands in direct opposition to the efforts of many of our alumni, faculty, and students to dismantle systemic racism and oppression and to advocate for equity for traditionally marginalized communities.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jaime Arguello, Associate Professor

Rachael Clemens, Adjunct Faculty

Melanie Feinberg, Associate Professor

Mary Grace Flaherty, Assistant Professor

Amelia N. Gibson, Assistant Professor

Claudia J. Gollop, Associate Professor

David Gotz, Associate Professor

Stephanie W Haas, Professor

Dana Hanson-Baldauf, Postdoctoral Research Associate

Bradley Hemminger, Associate Professor

Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Professor

Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi, Assistant Professor

Paul Jones, Clinical Professor

Christopher (Cal) Lee, Professor

Robert Losee, Professor

Joanne Gard Marshall, Distinguished Research Professor

Cliff Missen, Associate Clinical Professor

Javed Mostafa, Professor

Arcot Rajasekar, Professor

Casey H. Rawson, Adjunct Faculty

Ryan Shaw, Associate Professor

Brian W. Sturm, Associate Professor

Helen R. Tibbo, Alumni Distinguished Professor

Zeynep Tufekci, Associate Professor

Barbara Wildemuth, Distinguished Research Professor

Press please contact: Paul Jones @smalljones on most social networks