Bree Newsome graces UNC Charlotte

On Oct. 6 Black Perspectives kicked off the year by inviting Bree Newsome to campus in order to discuss her experience concerning her removal of the Confederate Flag from South Carolina’s state capitol. The event was open to the public and left those in attendance feeling empowered. Freshmen Dymone Coe and Chiagoziem Ngwadom stepped up to the plate to host, and the conversation they had with the fearless woman was definitely one to remember.

Like most of us, Newsome despises what the flag stands for and emphasized the fact that the confederate flag is not a just “southern thing”; it is a symbol of white supremacy. In the wake of the Emmanuel AME Church massacre, the fact that both the SC state flag and American flag were lowered to half-staff while the Confederate flag remained at full-staff “reignited” the anger she already had within her. When the opportunity presented itself, Newsome did not hesitate to volunteer as the one to climb the pole and take the flag down. Snatching down that flag was her way of letting the world know that she “would not allow fear to get the best of [her]”. Although she anticipated backlash and the possibility of getting physically attacked by someone who was in disagreement with her, Newsome said her biggest concern was climbing the pole without hurting herself. She had no prior experience in climbing and had less than a week to prepare for her feat. Removing the flag was not the first action in the name of the movement; she has been a civil rights activist since the murder of Trayvon Martin. She focuses on building community strength in order to bring about change and has remained active in Charlotte, NC. She told the hosts that nothing has really changed for her other than the fact that more people are willing to listen to what she has to say due to her courageous act.

Following the interview, BP opened the floor to audience members so they could ask Newsome some of their own questions. By answering these questions, she left the audience with some important advice. She advised us to study history, because “the present is a consequence of the past”. Most importantly, she wants young people to stop believing we are the leaders of the tomorrow, and recognize they are actually the leaders of today.