Press release from the Buncombe Community Remembrance Project:
Buncombe Community Remembrance Project, a collaborative initiative composed of a diverse community coalition of more than 16 organizations throughout Buncombe County, is holding its latest Community Stakeholders’ Meeting on Thursday, January 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Berry Temple United Methodist Church, 34 College Place. The MLK Association is the lead organization of the Project. Community members are invited to attend.
The Buncombe Community Remembrance Project aims to acknowledge and remember individuals lynched in Buncombe County between the years of 1877 and 1950, as well as to:
A. More Accurately Reflect History of Racial and Economic Injustice and Inequities
B. Heal from the Silent Trauma Surrounding Racial Violence
- Jim Crow Era
- Lynchings
- Mass Incarceration
- Violence in Communities
- State Sanctioned Violence
- Contemporary Racial Trauma and Violence, such as “Black Lives Matter”
C. Foster Local Conversations and Reflections Concerning Community Healing
D. Promote Community Healing Through
- Truth Telling
- Educational Programming
- Reconciliation Events
- Transforming Narratives
The Project seeks to bring to Buncombe County the Historical Marker and the Memorial Monument
The Project has created workgroups consisting of:
- Communications/PR Workgroup
- Community Engagement Workgroup
- Museums Tour Workgroup
- Lynching Research Workgroup
- Logistics/Historical Marker Site Location Workgroup
- Essay Competition Workgroup
- Educational Outreach Workgroup
- Fund Development Workgroup
- Compliance Workgroup
The Project is part of the Equal Justice Initiative’s (EJI) National Memorial for Peace and Justice program focused on lynching in individual counties throughout the United States. It was founded by Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, a best-selling book that was recently made into a film.
Buncombe Community Remembrance Project is currently planning a trip to the museums through a grant from the City of Asheville Office of Equity & Inclusion for the first or second weekend in March. (Will be March 13 – 15).
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