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WILS @8/20/95 **CHIL-I.
WILSON LIBRARY
N C COLLECTION
p O BOX 0890
CHAPEL HILL
- UNC-CH
NC 27515-8890
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016
Volume 95 - number 19
TELEPHONE (919) 682-2913 PRICE: 50 CENTS
Lynch: NC transgender law
part of civil rights struggle
Likens Republican HB2 to Jim Crow
By Eric Tucker and Jonathan Drew
WASHINGTON (AP) - In suing the state where she was born
and raised for discriminating against transgender people, Attorney
General Loretta Lynch invoked the defining civil rights struggles of
the last century and made clear that the federal government sees its
dispute with North Carolina as about far more than bathrooms and
showers.
Lynch, the first black woman to hold the job, elevated the profile
of the Justice Department’s potentially epic clash with North Caro
lina over its new bathroom law by placing it in the context of Ameri
ca’s Jim Crow era - when signs above water fountains and restaurants
fostered race discrimination - as well as more recent efforts to deny
gay couples the right to marry.
“Instead of turning away from our neighbors, friends and col
leagues, let us instead learn from our history and avoid repeating
the mistakes of our past,” Lynch said at a news conference May 7
announcing the lawsuit, directly addressing North Carolina residents.
“Let us reflect on the obvious but neglected lesson that state-sanc
tioned discrimination never looks good and never works in hind
sight.”
Her remarks, in unusually forceful and personal language, came
as North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory refused to back down over a
law that requires transgender people to use the public restroom cor
responding to the gender on their birth certificate. The Justice Depart
ment says the measure violates civil rights laws and is seeking a court
order to block it.
Lynch’s announcement of a lawsuit - and her reassurance to the
transgender community that “We see you” - brought tears to Stephen
Wiseman, a 37-year-old social worker and transgender man in Ashe-
. ville, who praised Lynch for giving “historical examples that people
can relate to.”
He said it was a historic moment to'have the attorney general
stand behind a podium and offer transgender people such affirmation.
“That sort of acknowledgment and validation is huge when the
other side is saying: 'you’re nobody. You’re making all this up,’” he
said.
(Continued On Page 3)
ATTORNEY GENERAL LORETTA LYNCH
The Friends of the Stanford L. Warren Branch Library and
Friends of Durham County Library hosted a “Lunch and Learn
with Dr. Crystal R. Sanders.” The conversation and book signing
centered on her recently published book, “A Chance for Change:
Head Start and Mississippi’s Black Freedom Struggle.” The pro
gram was held at Stanford Warren Library. For more on pro
grams at Stanford Warren Library call 919-560-0270.
DURHAM CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS MAP
WEB RE-LAUNCH EVENT
“ SATURDAY, MAY 14,2016 10:00AM- 12:00PM
IB 313 FOSTER STREET @ PAULI MURRAY TRUE COMMUNITY MURAL
Duke Human Rights Center
Paull Murray Project
at the Franklin Humanitites Institute
Web Launch - Durham Civil & Human Rights Map
CELEBRATION PLANNED MAY 14-10 A.M.-12 NOON
The Pauli Murray Project and Savas Labs are excited to announce the launch of a redesigned online resource, the Durham Civil &
Human Rights Map. Everyone is invited to explore the map at our launch party on May 14 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the Pauli Murray True
Community Mural, 313 Foster Street. Check out one marker or create your own walking tour!
The site, www.durhamcivilrightsmap.org focuses on our community’s history of activism and struggle for social justice and equality for
everyone. From anti-KKK rallies to lunch counter sit ins, draft resisters during the Vietnam War era to the desegregation of the Durham
Athletic Park; the map explores historic liberation struggles based on race, gender, sexual orientation and more.
Each map point is based on research by a Duke or UNC-CH student who has been enrolled in a documentary studies course taught by
Barbara Lau. The map was originated in 2009 and grows each year as students write and narrate new markers. “The site embodies the mission
of the Pauli Murray Project, shared director Barbara Lau, ”to connect history to contemporary activism and we are pleased that it,will also be
accessible through our website.”
The map is intended as a community resource for teachers, students, residents and anyone interested in social justice history. We are
excited to work with educators and community members to develop additional projects based on the map and map research.
The Savas Labs team, including Kosta Harlan, Tim Stallmann and Anne Tomasevich invested their time and expertise to rebuild the site
as a pro bono contribution to Durham and to the Pauli Murray Project. Savas Labs feels it is important to remember and celebrate the legacy
of Pauli Murray. The team finds it especially relevant to espouse values of community, tolerance, acceptance and love given recent actions
of the state legislature. Pauli Murray’s appreciation of diversity while simultaneously respecting the rights we all share aligns perfectly with
the values at Savas Labs.
Widow, daughters of slain
Charleston senator receive
posthumous degree
By Meg Kinnard
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - When he, along with eight of his pa
rishioners, was slain last summer at the historic black church he pas-
tored, Clementa Pinckney was working on his thesis for a Doctorate
of Ministry degree.
On May 9, that goal came to fruition, as Pinckney’s widow, Jen
nifer, and their two daughters accepted his posthumous diploma dur
ing commencement ceremonies for Wesley Theological Seminary at
Washington National Cathedral.
Pinckney was among the nine people gunned down last June dur
ing a Wednesday night Bible study at the church he pastored, Eman
uel AME.
During the ceremonies, Wesley president David McAllister-Wil
son said Pinckney had finished his coursework and was, at the time
of his death, working on a thesis dealing with his dual role as public
servant and minister.
Jennifer Pinckney, who said she had planned to come alone to ac
cept the honor, ending up bringing her children because her husband
was a family man and would want them to share in the occasion.
“Clementa, you did it,” she said during the ceremony. “You ac
complished a goal that many people dream of. And even though
you’re not here to walk with your fellow classmates physically, I
know that you’re here with us spiritually.”
The school’s faculty voted unanimously to confer the degree post
humously, officials said. The slayings, which stunned the nation, re-
ignited discussions about race relations and led to the removal of a
Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina Statehouse.
Dylann Roof, who is charged in the shootings, had previously
posed for photos with a rebel flag. After his arrest, several relatives
of those killed at the church told Roof they forgave him for his al
leged crimes.
“The outpouring of grace from that church community and the fall
of the Confederate flag in the capital was evidence of the fruit of his
ministry,” McAllister-Wilson said, of Pinckney’s legacy.
The seminary president also read a letter from President Barack
Obama, who eulogized Pinckney at his funeral in Charleston last
year. In the letter, Obama praised Pinckney’s accomplishments and
encouraged his fellow graduates to continue to learn from his ex
ample of studying dual tracks of public service and faith leadership.
“He did not view these novel callings as working in conflict with
one another but as working in concert with one another,” McAllister-
Wilson read from the letter. “I pray his example endures in your min
istry, and I congratulate you all.”
North Carolina NAACP
wants federal probe in
Harnett County
LILLINGTON (AP) - The North Carolina chapter of the NAACP
is seeking a federal investigation of “abuses and possible crimes” in
the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials with the state and Harnett County chapters say they plan
to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice for an in
vestigation following a series of stories in The News & Observer of
Raleigh.
Residents told the newspaper that Harnett County sheriff’s depu
ties have battered and harassed them. The newspaper reports that two
men died while others have been assaulted.
NAACP leaders called for the investigation during a news confer
ence May 9 in Lillington.
The Justice Department has already opened an inquiry into at least
two cases in Harnett County. NAACP leaders say that sort of limited
review is not enough.
NCC X
* NcU