TO THE EDITOR:
I am sick of the noise being made about Silent Sam and the incomplete representation regarding its history.
Not only are there more important things to address, but given the concern of these protestors, there is a much more pervasive pro-slavery symbol on campus and throughout the state. It is our nickname — Tar Heels.
The generally accepted origin of the term comes from the Civil War, when North Carolina was also a major manufacturer of tar. Basically, other soldiers said North Carolinians stuck to and held their ground like they had tar on their heels.
There is one story of its origin in the American Revolution, which claims the nickname had to do with dumping tar in the Tar River to impede British troops. But, even if it did not originate with the Civil War, that was when it really became the characterizing nickname for the state’s residents.
So there. Everything from your clothes to this newspaper proudly uses a term that glorifies holding ground and fighting to keep slaves in chains and on the fields.
Or, how about we get over it? No one protests German car companies that Nazis promoted or even, in the case of Volkswagen, founded.
By dwelling on things like this, you’re only going to make yourself unhappy and others immensely annoyed.
Pick your battles.
Sam Perkins
Graduate Student
Marine Sciences
