The past couple of weeks racial tensions have reached it’s peek. A real conversation about the enshrinement of former slave owners and racists has been started and many statues of these “confederate heroes” have been removed around the nation. Now, Duke University has followed suit, removing their statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee a few hours ago after it was vandalized. The university removed Lee’s statue’s from it’s Duke Chapel where it stood alongside 10 other historic figures.
Duke Vincent Price said in a letter to the students and campus stakeholders that he consulted with faculty, staff, students and alumni about the decision to remove the statue. Officials discovered early Thursday that the statue’s face had been vandalized. Dr. Price said in his letter, “I took this course of action to protect Duke Chapel, to ensure the vital safety of students and community members who worship there, and above all to express the deep and abiding values of our university.”
This news comes on the heels of the Charlottesville Riots of last weekend and rumors of a Ku Klux Klan rally being held this weekend in the Durum, North Carolina area. We commend President Price for his decision and hope other institutions follow suit!
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