North Carolina

A Confederate statue in North Carolina praises ‘faithful slaves.’ Some citizens want it gone

Published

3 weeks ago

May 25, 2024

A Confederate statue in North Carolina praises ‘faithful slaves.’ Some citizens want it gone

A Confederate monument at a North Carolina county courthouse is at the center of a lawsuit for what some say explicitly supports slavery.

And the words at the heart of contention are: “In appreciation of our faithful slaves.”

That quote has stirred a long battle in Tyrrell County, North Carolina. Several Black residents said in a recent federal lawsuit against the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners that the words endorse slavery and violate the Equal Protection Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment.

History and art experts told USA TODAY the monument’s placement at the county’s courthouse sends a troubling message to Black residents.

“This civic monument is appallingly explicit in its pro-slavery message, communicating it not only in text but its proximity to a legal institution — suggesting that the destructive ‘Lost Cause’ narrative is not merely a myth but a lawful truth,” Jessica Baran, art history doctoral candidate at Washington University in St. Louis, wrote in an email.

The “Lost Cause” narrative refers in general to attempts to present the Civil War from the perspective of Confederates and in the best possible terms, according to the Encyclopedia Virginia. Developed by white Southerners, many of them former Confederate generals, the Lost Cause created and romanticized the “Old South” and the Confederate war effort, often distorting history in the process, according to the encyclopedia.

The nearly 23-foot-tall monument next to the Tyrrell County Courthouse is of a common Confederate soldier with a written tribute to “the Confederate cause.” It also contains a bust of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, along with the words “in appreciation of our faithful slaves” on a separate panel, according to the University of North Carolina library.

Confederate Army Lt. Col. William F. Beasley gifted the county the monument in 1902. The courthouse opened in 1903, according to state records.

Concerned Citizens of Tyrrell County, the group suing the county commissioners to remove the monument, said in the lawsuit that the structure is likely the only one in the country at a courthouse that “expresses a racial discriminatory message.” The citizens group has rallied and spoken at county commissioner meetings to remove the structure with no luck, at times facing what they claim is racial intimidation by other residents.

“It’s really a racially hostile environment for them at this point in the county because they’re well known for having spoken out against this statute,” said Jaelyn Miller, attorney for Concerned Citizens of Tyrrell County. “It’s made some folks fearful to continue doing rallies and demonstrations because of that.”

Neither of the five Tyrell County Board of Commissioners responded to USA TODAY’s request for comment. According to UNC, county manager and attorney David Clegg and board chair Nathan “Tommy” Everett said state law prevents the statue’s removal, but Miller said the 2015 law only applies to structures on state-owned property.

Current Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat who has been governor since 2017, supports removals.

It’s the latest Confederate monument eyed for removal among hundreds after racial unrest across the nation. A white man killed nine Black worshippers in 2015 at a Charleston, South Carolina, church; white nationalists rallied in 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, leaving one woman dead; and hundreds protested George Floyd’s death in 2020, demanding an end to systemic racism.

“It’s not so much these monuments have been erased, it’s that they are being moved out of these conspicuous public spaces,” said W. Fitzhugh Brundage, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

University of Alabama history professor Hilary Green, who couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, has tracked Confederate monument removals before and after the racist Charleston church shooting. The map was last updated in October 2023. She told the University of Alabama in 2020 that removals are the beginning of conversations about underlying issues and tensions in communities.

Special case because of location near courthouse

The Confederate monument is a special case, Brundage said, because of its inscription and location. He said white elites dedicated the monuments to each other, honoring their fights for the Confederacy. But the Tyrrell County monument doesn’t separate the army from slavery.

Other monuments across the country spoke about states’ rights.

“It is unusual to have a Confederate monument of any kind, but certainly not one in front of the courthouse that specifically links the commemoration of the Confederacy with the commemoration of the service of ‘faithful slaves,’” Brundage said. “It is an exceptional monument to make the linkage between the Confederacy and slavery as it does.”

Fight for the monument’s removal has directly affected some Black residents. Miller said Adriana Blakeman and Sherryreed Robinson, who are Black, faced armed supporters and were driven off the side of roads for their activism, which they alleged in the lawsuit. Miller said it was the latest intimidation tactics they faced as they’ve pursued the statue’s removal.

“That’s the sort of like double standard that they’re having to live through and threats to their physical safety,” Miller said.

Brundage said the lawsuit – and any future ones across the country – will be a spectacle with efforts picking up across the country to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He’s curious on how the national conversation will spill into the courts on cases filed under the Fourteenth Amendment.

“I’m wondering whether that backlash will, in any way, impact the ability of activists to appeal to a language of inclusion as grounds for the removal of these monuments,” he said. “There just seems to be less, at least in the political discourse, sympathy or less tolerance for the language of inclusion.”

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @KrystalRNurse.

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North Carolina

Tennessee Baseball's Win Over North Carolina Different But Not Surprising | Rocky Top Insider

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee Baseball's Win Over North Carolina Different But Not Surprising | Rocky Top Insider

Cal Stark catches against North Carolina in the 2024 College World Series // Photo via UT Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee’s offense didn’t explode in any one inning and totaled just seven hits in its 6-1 College World Series win over North Carolina on Sunday night. In that way, the Vols’ second win in Omaha was different than what they are known for, but that doesn’t make it surprising that they knocked off the Tar Heels the way they did.

“I think it just shows how versatile we are,” right fielder Kavares Tears said postgame.

“Friday night never really giving up even though we were down however much,” left-handed pitcher Kirby Connell said. “Just worried about the next pitch and tonight was getting off to a good start and kind of never took our foot off the gas.”

How Tennessee won its College World Series opener against Florida State is what this team’s known for. Twelve runs, a late game rally and six extra-base hits. That’s what people think of when they think of this team.

And the Vols can win that way. They’ve totaled double-digits runs 30 times this season and have won three games allowing double-digit runs.

But Tennessee can also win with pitching and defense. They won four SEC regular season and tournament games scoring four or less runs. After its win over North Carolina, Tennessee now has a 10-9 record in SEC and postseason games where they scored six or less runs. That record is 10-4 if you start after the series opening loss at Auburn that’s proven to be a turning point in the season.

Both pitching and defense were on display against the Tar Heels. Drew Beam, who struggled in his first three starts this postseason, was efficient and effective in five innings of one run baseball.

“I thought Drew Beam was really, really good,” North Carolina coach Scott Berry said.

“There was conviction to it,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of Beam.

The junior’s bounce back was a great sign. Tennessee needed him to be better if they were going to win the National Championship. He delivered in his first opportunity and a second one is now looking all the more likely.

More From RTI: Tony Vitello And Hunter Ensley Update The Centerfielder’s Status

Don’t overlook the defense behind him either. No one will forget Hunter Ensley’s stellar catch running into the wall in center field in the second inning but that wasn’t the only nice play. Dean Curley, Christian Moore and Blake Burke all had impressive plays. The only defensive miscue of the whole night came on a grounder Billy Amick couldn’t corral in the fifth inning.

That’s important too. Tennessee’s defense has been sloppy the entire NCAA Tournament. Not just sloppy but “get you beat at some point” sloppy.

“The defense was outstanding on both sides,” Vitello said.

While it wasn’t the offense’s best night, it wasn’t bad either. There was the usual power surge— a Kavares Tears three-run homer that broke the tie in the fourth inning and a Reese Chapman solo shot an inning later. But there was also an ability to generate runs to help cushion the lead.

Tennessee capitalized when North Carolina walked Colby Backus on four pitches and promptly threw a wild pitch as Dean Curley drove him home with a two-out single up the middle. Another four pitch walk in the eighth inning led to a run when Dylan Dreiling singled and then Tears doubles to right field with two outs.

“Pretty good hitting too,” Ensley said. “Some clutch hits. Two-out hitting was really good so just finding different ways to win ball games.”

The win marked the first time ever that Tennessee’s won its first two games in the College World Series and the two wins came in radically different fashions. But the Vols have been winning in different ways all season and that bodes well for a team that’s a win away from advancing to their second College World Series finals in program history.

“I think we’ve won two different ways in Omaha than we have all year,” Ensley said. “That’s good for the confidence for the team.”

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North Carolina

Tennessee baseball vs North Carolina score updates in College World Series

Published

11 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee baseball vs North Carolina score updates in College World Series

OMAHA, Neb. − Tennessee baseball is off a good start in the College World Series.

The Vols (56-12) face North Carolina (48-14) on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in their second CWS game after winning 12-11 against Florida State on Friday. UT walked off the Seminoles on a ninth-inning single from Dylan Dreiling to cap a four-run inning that erased a three-run deficit.

UNC also walked off its first game on a single from Vance Honeycutt in the ninth inning against Virginia in the opening game Friday.

UT and UNC have not played since the 2019 Chapel Hill Regional. The Vols lost 5-2 in the regional final in the first postseason appearance under coach Tony Vitello.

Tennessee baseball live score updates vs North Carolina in College World Series

Parks Harber singles for the first UNC hit, but Drew Beam pitches around the runner for another scoreless inning. He’s now up to 34 pitches through four innings.

The Vols go down 1-2-3 in the third inning, including a Christian Moore flyout to center.

Drew Beam is through third inning with just 21 pitches after a clean run through the Tar Heels lineup.

Dylan Dreiling leads off the inning with a walk but the Vols don’t do anything with it.

Hunter Ensley robs Anthony Donofrio of extra bases with a catch as he crashes into the centerfield wall. What a catch.

Otherwise, a clean first two innings by Drew Beam

The Vols go down 1-2-3 against Shea Sprague, including a 115 mph groundout by Christian Moore to open the inning.

Drew Beam deals a 1-2-3 first inning against the UNC top of the lineup. Better start for the Vols, including a nice stretch by Blake Burke at first base to secure a 4-3 groundout.

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina on today?

TV: ESPN2 (Watch on Fubo)

MORE: Watch Tennessee baseball live vs North Carolina with Fubo (free trial)

Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina start time

Tennessee baseball vs. North Carolina location

Omaha, Nebraska
Charles Schwab Field

LIGHT: Meet Carlee Beam, the brightest light at Tennessee baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium

Tennessee baseball schedule

See the Tennessee baseball schedule here

North Carolina baseball schedule

See the North Carolina baseball schedule

Tennessee baseball roster

See the Tennessee baseball roster here

North Carolina baseball roster

See the North Carolina baseball roster

College World Series schedule

Below is the full 2024 schedule for the 2024 College World Series:

All times Eastern

Friday, June 14

Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

Saturday, June 15

Game 3: Kentucky 5, NC State 4 (10 inn.)
Game 4: Texas A&M 3, Florida 2

Sunday, June 16

Game 5: Virginia vs. Florida State | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 6: North Carolina vs. Tennessee | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Monday, June 17

Game 7: NC State vs. Florida | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 8: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Tuesday, June 18

Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs. loser of Game 6 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. loser of Game 8 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Wednesday, June 19

Game 11: Winner of Game 6 vs. winner of Game 9 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. winner of Game 10 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Thursday, June 20

Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
Game 14 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD

College World Series championship finals schedule 2024

Saturday, June 22

Game 1: TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

Sunday, June 23

Game 2: TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)

Monday, June 24

Game 3 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)

College World Series odds

According to BetMGM

2024 College World Series bracket

See the bracket here.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

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North Carolina

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule, time, TV channel, live stream for 2024 College World Series baseball game | Sporting News

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule, time, TV channel, live stream for 2024 College World Series baseball game | Sporting News

Tennessee and North Carolina clash in the winner’s bracket of the men’s College World Series on Sunday evening after their respective opening-round wins.

The Volunteers are vying to become the first No. 1 overall seed to win the CWS since Miami accomplished the feat 25 years ago. And their high-powered offense showcased its mettle in a zany, 12-11 victory over No. 8 Florida State on Friday night.

Staring down an 11-7 eighth-inning deficit, Tennessee mounted a furious comeback to push the Seminoles to the brink. Overall, the Volunteers recorded 18 hits, with star second baseman Christian Moore hitting for the cycle.

North Carolina also picked up a walk-off victory Friday, edging Virginia, 3-2. Prized outfielder Vance Honeycutt secured the game-winning hit on a ninth-inning single, setting up the Tar Heels for a date with SEC foe Tennessee.

Here is everything you need to know about Tennessee vs. North Carolina, including TV and live stream information.

North Carolina vs. Tennessee schedule

North Carolina and Tennessee are set to meet in the College World Series’ winner’s bracket. The details of their matchup are outlined below.

Date	Game	Time (ET)	TV channel
Sun., June 16	Game 6: No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 4 North Carolina	7 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo

What channel is North Carolina vs. Tennessee on?

TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: Fubo

North Carolina vs. Tennessee will air live on ESPN, with Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kyle Peterson (color analyst), Chris Burke (color analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) on the call.

Fans can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, so you can try before you buy.

North Carolina vs. Tennessee start time

Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 7 p.m. ET

First pitch between North Carolina and Tennessee is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 16. The game will be played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

Tennessee vs. North Carolina radio station

Listen to Tennessee vs. North Carolina, and every game of the 2024 men’s College World Series, live on SiriusXM channel 84.

Get 3 months of SiriusXM for just $1. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Tennessee vs. North Carolina tickets

Tickets for games during the College World Series, including Tennessee vs. North Carolina, are available on StubHub. Use the link below to explore prices and seats for individual games.

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