Repeal the Heritage Act

10/05/2021

‼️MONUMENT CALL OUT‼️thanks to a RTHA supporter, this plaque dedicated to Robert E. Lee outside the visitors center was brought to our attention. The Presidential Commission on Campus History has already recommended it’s removal…Pastides, are you listening? Use link in bio to tell President Pastides you’re

08/18/2021

Listen up Gamecocks! August means it’s time to turn up the heat 🔥 Tell Pastides you’re by clicking the link in our bio to send a pre-written email. deserves bold leadership. The future of our university and state can’t wait. Design credit

07/30/2021

ICYMI: While Pastides’ inaction in response to the Commission on University History’s recommendations is infuriating, we continue to fight for change and shout loudly that we’re

07/16/2021

Today, the Presidential Commission on University History released its report recommending 11 campus buildings named for racist figures be renamed — including the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. This recommendation is appreciated and long overdue. However, despite this recommendation, President Pastides announced this week he would not officially recommend that the Board of Trustees make these changes. This is a significant step back even from former President Caslen’s approach— Caslen did bring the Commission’s recommendation to rename Sims to the Board last year, and the Board approved it. Pastides’ refusal to even meet the low bar set by Caslen is a sickening failure of student, alumni, faculty and community.

Stay tuned for our full response and call to action coming soon, and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates 🔥

[Tweet credits: 💜, / Lucas Duprile]

07/06/2021

🗣Call out 🗣 On the South Carolina State House grounds is the Monument to the Confederate Dead. Yet another example of a monument that falsely depicts the Confederacy as a heroic or just cause. What version of history are we telling?

06/02/2021

This week one year ago, the Repeal the Heritage Act team was founded - and our efforts to create a better South Carolina for all began 💜 With thousands of supporters like YOU, we have been able to create pressure on campuses and in communities across the state to build an inclusive future for all South Carolinians.

At the University of South Carolina, the Presidential Commission on University History will decide in June 2021 which racist buildings on campus - including the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center - should be renamed. Join us in declaring to Interim President Harris Pastides and the Board of Trustees: Gamecocks are 🚨 🚨 campus buildings that celebrate racism—and we’re done waiting while the USC bureaucracy drags its feet.

If you’re ready to close this shameful chapter in USC’s history ➡️ go to our link in bio today to send a pre-written email to President Pastides, telling him we’re the buildings on our campus that glorify and memorialize racist figures from history.

Raise your voice with ours today — the future of our university and state can’t wait.

05/25/2021

🚨UPDATE 🚨The SC Supreme Court will arguments about whether the Heritage Act is unconstitutional today at 10:30 AM!

04/28/2021

The RTHA student board is proud to share this inspiring video demanding change for a better South Carolina.

Script: Jazmyne McCrae, Janell Moore, Kamryn Ufford
Voiceover: Matthew Spencer, Van Thompson
Filming: Kamryn Ufford
Editing: Qhira Bond

04/26/2021

Tonight University of South Carolina is holding a public forum for its Presidential Commission on University History. We urge all to attend and demand that USC take action to remove racist monuments and buildings across campus. Link to attend virtually: https://www.sc.edu/about/our_history/university_history/presidential_commission/meetings/index.php

Commission Overview: In 2019, President Robert L. Caslen created the commission to examine and address historic context at the university, from evaluating and re-naming university buildings to broadening acknowledgement of key groups and individuals that have contributed to the university over time.

The commission meets regularly and holds periodic public forums to gather perspective from students, faculty, staff and community members. The commission makes official meeting records available including agendas and minutes.

04/16/2021

Next up: the Faithful Slaves Memorial in Confederate Park, Fort Mill. Yet another monument in SC that presents the false narrative of the "loyal slave" in attempt to reinforce white supremacy. Makes you question...what version of history are we telling?

04/08/2021

Over the next few weeks, we will be calling out some of the most racist and problematic public symbols across SC. Today's call out: the Confederate Defenders of Charleston monument.

What version of history are we telling?

03/29/2021

On March 22nd, The Post and Courier published a thought-provoking piece about the growing movement to remove/rename confederate monuments & buildings, the role museums play, and the messaging these choices send to a broader society. We highly encourage a read!

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/local_state_news/confederate-monuments-are-coming-down-what-should-we-do-with-them-now/article_d14beb60-8344-11eb-95ee-d3d1326a4eb2.html