Panel discusses state legislation and Moral Monday protests

A panel of students, faculty and community members gathered Tuesday to discuss recent state legislation that has been at the center of the Moral Monday protests.

The conversation, titled Human Rights in North Carolina: Moral Monday, featured four panelists, all of whom attended protests throughout the summer. The Moral Monday protests—which began in May—were organized in response to policies enacted by the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly

“We didn’t think we were going to sway the state legislators to change their votes. They are hardened in their convictions,” said panelist William Chafe, Alice Mary Baldwin Professor of history, who served as dean of the faculty of Arts and Sciences. “We were trying to change the minds of people—people in this room, people all across the state—who care about the history that’s being attacked.”

The panelists decried a number of the legislature’s acts—including the repeal of the Racial Justice Act, the decision not to expand Medicaid with federal funds, budget cuts to public education and anti-abortion measures.

Although they were critical of the legislation, each of the panelists described the protests as powerful and inspiring.

“My racial guilt and class privilege led me to feel increasingly like, ‘I can’t just sit here,’” said panelist Susan Thorne, associate professor of women's studies. “And it was one of the most positive experiences of my life, getting arrested.”

Panelist Rev. Curtis Gatewood, a coordinator for the NAACP, discussed the legislature's use of religion to support its actions, which he feels is inappropriate.

“I am very disturbed at how the Bible has been manipulated and used as a political football by people in this generation,” Gatewood said.

The panel also highlighted the relevance of the legislation to the Duke community. Panelist Eliza Meredith, a sophomore, particularly emphasized the need for students to recognize the importance of the new laws.

“The people at Duke need to care about this, even if you’re not from North Carolina,” Meredith said. “This is our future.”

Several students in the audience identified with the sentiment.

“I’ve definitely been trying to follow what’s happening in North Carolina, even though I’m from Colorado,” said freshman Noah Grolnick. “I thought [the panel] was really interesting.”