Hampton Dellinger, a Chapel Hill High School alumnus and former North Carolina deputy attorney general, made national news in August and September when he threatened a federal discrimination lawsuit against the University of North Carolina (UNC) on behalf of 12 UNC students after the university refused to remove Silent Sam, the Confederate monument on campus, following the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“Silent Sam is offensive in and of itself because it was erected as a symbol supporting slavery and white supremacy, and it stands today as a rallying point and rallying cry for hate groups,” Dellinger said. “It also offends federal anti-discrimination laws.”
Governor Roy Cooper offered an exception within the North Carolina state law in a 2015 law that prevents the alteration of historic monuments, prohibiting UNC from removing Silent Sam on conditions of public safety and protection of history, but UNC declined, believing the loophole would not cover the issues surrounding Silent Sam.
The statue, originally erected in 1913 on the campus’ main quad to honor UNC students who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, has been a source of controversy for decades.
However, following the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, which involved a counter-protester being killed, calls for Silent Sam to be removed from campus have increased.
“UNC’s willingness to host a racially offensive statue that violates federal laws makes UNC students, particularly students of color, feel like the university does not want them to be able to fully participate in and enjoy the campus life they are paying for and deserve,” Dellinger said.
Dellinger got involved when he watched students “lead on the issue of removing Silent Sam” and offered to help.
He receives input and advice from UNC students and faculty.
“Chapel Hill is an inclusive community that cherishes diversity and opposes racism,” Dellinger said. “Silent Sam stands for everything Chapel Hill doesn’t.”
After student boycotts, protests and campus meetings, the conflict is at a standstill. The next step in Dellinger’s plan depends on whether UNC takes action to remove the Confederate monument.
“If UNC does not remove Silent Sam and if students would like to bring a lawsuit, I plan to assist them,” Dellinger said.
For Chapel Hill High School students passionate about the issue, Dellinger recommended using social media to voice their opinion.
“UNC should be listening to potential future students, as well as its current ones,” he said.
In the past, Dellinger has represented professional female soccer players in a sex-discrimination lawsuit and over the use of turf at the Women’s World Cup.
