UNC flag defenders appear at RNC | Wake school board ratifies "gender identity" policies
No. 81 — Jul. 14-Jul. 20, 2024
Defense of American flag by UNC frat bros celebrated at RNC
UNC fraternity brothers who held U.S. flag during campus protests speak at Republican National Convention - CBS17
UNC fraternity members ‘proud to honor our flag again’ at Republican National Convention - N&O
UNC Frats Get Center Stage At RNC - The Assembly
UNC-Chapel Hill fraternity brothers recognized at RNC convention - Carolina Journal
Seven students from a UNC fraternity were recognized at the Republican National Convention this week for their participation in the viral defense of the American flag after it was torn down by pro-Palestine rioters this May.
Alex Johnson of Pi Kappa Alpha kept his remarks non-political:
“When a mob tried to take down the American flag on our campus, we knew we couldn’t let that happen,” UNC-Chapel Hill student and fraternity brother Alex Johnson told the audience. “We stood guard, we held it up and we did not let it fall. It was all about respect, not just for the cloth but for everything that the flag stands for. Too many people have sacrificed everything for it and the least we could do was keep it flying, and tonight, we are proud to honor our flag again.”
Source: Carolina Journal
However, the invitation to the convention was declined by other fraternities who participated in the events of that day, with involved students from both sides of the political spectrum expressing their desire to keep the message of their actions patriotic and non-political:
Guillermo Estrada of Pi Kappa Phi, who has experience working in conservative politics, told The Assembly that he was "honored" by the RNC invitation, but that "we decided not to speak because patriotism and respect for our country, for us, shouldn’t be political"
Brendan Rosenblum of Alpha Epsilon Pi, who identifies as "very liberal" has been unhappy with the use of an interview he gave with Fox News's Jesse Waters in pro-Trump messaging, as he intends to vote for President Biden.
"It’s a bad message to say just because you’re pro American, you’re on one side–on any side," Rosenblum told The Assembly. "You should be able to do that besides your politics."
Wake County School Board aligns policies with Biden administration's transgender agenda
Wake school board approves changes to match new Title IX rules - WRAL
Pronoun police? Wake County schools adopt Biden’s new Title IX gender language policies - Carolina Journal
Students, parents react to Title IX changes in Wake County Schools - ABC11
The Wake County Board of Education adopted policy changes on Tuesday night in line with the the Biden Department of Education’s (DOE) Title IX rules.
Although Title IX was originally passed in 1972 to prohibit discrimination "on the basis of sex", more modern interpretations beginning with the Obama administration have decreed that the law requires recipients of federal funds to treat transgender-identifying individuals in line with their "gender identity".
The seven Democrat board members voting in favor of the proposed changes say they would be risking $100+ million in annual federal funding if they did not update the policies in line with the current DOE interpretation.
However, the the DOE is currently prohibited from enforcing the rule in at least 14 states, as well as any school attended by the child Moms for Liberty member (this would undoubtedly include many Wake County schools).
Wing Ng and Cheryl Caulfield, the two Republicans on the board, voted against the policy change. In an op-ed published by the Carolina Journal, Caulfield writes that "our girls’ safety and our rights are not for sale."
According to Caulfield, "the policy puts girls at risk and strips protections for free speech from public school students and staff" by threatening punishment for "anyone not using preferred pronouns", as well as any girl who complained about being forced to share private spaces with a biological male.
The board also passed a policy aimed at elimination "hair discrimination". (I wrote a few paragraphs about this proposed policy several months ago: Wake School Board considers equity-inspired hair policy (No. 63 — Mar. 16, 2024))
Employees at Upscale Durham Restaurant Quit En Masse After the Owner Used a Racial Slur - INDY
A Durham restaurant, Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar, is now closed indefinitely after white owner Lisa Callaghan made the mistake of vocalizing the forbidden syllables while criticizing the excessive use of the racial slur in rap music: "I am so sick of hearing n—r this, n—r that, n—r, n—r, n—r."
I think any rational person can tell the vast difference between "I don't like n—rs" and "I don't like the word 'n—r'", but the use-mention distinction is often thrown out the window when convenient. For instance, President Biden has been the subject of attacks for "using" the n-word in a 1985 Senate hearing when quoting remarks allegedly made by a Louisiana politician.
Callaghan, on her part, apologized for her comment, and took two weeks off, but the previously "phenomenal" work environment deteriorated after the incident and the majority of the staff ended up resigning. Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar announced a week-long holiday from July 2-10, but has remained closed since.
Misc. Reading
Monica Ussery has filed a Notice of Appeal after her civil rights lawsuit over her anti-lockdown protest arrest was dismissed last month
Raleigh dance instructor linked to sex crimes at studios throughout NC arrested - WRAL
A Beloved Durham Historian Turns 100 - INDY
People in Raleigh react to attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump - ABC11
Wake County mom accused of leaving kids in a hot car, feels child abuse charges excessive - WRAL
Family members frustrated by years-long lack of care at Harnett Co. cemetery - WRAL