Greg Murphy Said, “Confederate War Memorials Have Come To Mean Different Things To Different People” And Said He Wanted To Avoid “Pulling Off Scabs Of The Past”

2018: Murphy: “Confederate War Memorials Have Come To Mean Different Things To Different People. To Some They Have Become A Vestigial Sign Of Racism While To Others They Are Simply Commemorating The Dead.” “[Question:] Do you think that the state should allow local authorities to determine for themselves where and how to display Confederate memorials, and do you think it is appropriate for a monument to confederate dead to stand on the grounds of the Pitt County Courthouse? [Murphy:] North Carolina grants each municipality its charter. While there are certain issues (trash removal, sewage treatment, school supplements) that are handled locally, there is a state obligation to administer uniformity of laws so that citizens have a reasonable expectation of what those laws as they travel from city to city. Confederate war memorials have come to mean different things to different people. To some they have become a vestigial sign of racism while to others they are simply commemorating the dead. I care less about where they reside and care more about people looking forward to heal the pains of racism rather than pulling off scabs of the past. The former leads to communion, the latter leads to more and more division.” [Greenville Daily Reflector, 10/24/18]

In Discussing Confederate Memorials, Murphy Said, “I Care Less About Where They Reside And Care More About People Looking Forward To Heal The Pains Of Racism Rather Than Pulling Off Scabs Of The Past.” “[Question:] Do you think that the state should allow local authorities to determine for themselves where and how to display Confederate memorials, and do you think it is appropriate for a monument to confederate dead to stand on the grounds of the Pitt County Courthouse? [Murphy:] North Carolina grants each municipality its charter. While there are certain issues (trash removal, sewage treatment, school supplements) that are handled locally, there is a state obligation to administer uniformity of laws so that citizens have a reasonable expectation of what those laws as they travel from city to city. Confederate war memorials have come to mean different things to different people. To some they have become a vestigial sign of racism while to others they are simply commemorating the dead. I care less about where they reside and care more about people looking forward to heal the pains of racism rather than pulling off scabs of the past. The former leads to communion, the latter leads to more and more division.” [Greenville Daily Reflector, 10/24/18]