Reverend encourages students to uphold the civil rights movement

The Rev. William Barber" president of the N.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is calling for students to reignite the civil rights movement.

In his lecture Thursday at the Campus Y" Barber spoke about the continuation of the civil rights movement and how wide of a community it encompasses.

""The civil rights movement has never been just about black people"" he said. It's meant to keep pushing forward. It's a fundamental change in the way we operate.""

Barber connected the civil rights movement to immigration and called upon students to help keep the movement alive.

First year Jakelin Bonilla said Barber motivated students.

""I think it was very inspirational"" Bonilla said. It definitely motivated me to want to make a difference.""

Both of Bonilla's parents are Hispanic immigrants" and she lived in a community where immigration was a prevalent issue.

In his lecture" Barber drew parallels between racism and immigration issues that Hispanics face today and blacks have faced throughout history.

""You forget what greets you in the New York harbor with a torch in her hand"" he said. The real call of your generation is to engage the movement and know that it's never stopped.""

Junior Ron Bilbao asked Barber to speak at UNC after hearing him at a meeting on Hispanic affairs.

""He was just electrifying"" Bilbao said. It's a call to action — we can't just stand by and watch this go down. We've got to take a stand.""

The event was sponsored by several groups" including the UNC chapter of the NAACP" Black Student Movement and the Carolina Hispanic Association.

Members of the UNC chapter of the NAACP said the lecture reenergized what they have been trying to do.

""I hope people gained the fact that change can happen" NAACP President Tiffany Whiting said. We just have to work on it" work for the change.""

Students said Barber helped them realize what the civil rights movement is all about.

""It's not just about tolerating people"" sophomore Alicia Soto said. It's about having a love and concern for humanity.""

Barber said he was as impressed with students and their efforts as they were of him.

""To see these young people — who could be selfish — say" ‘I want to help change the world to change society to end racism' that's a powerful statement in itself" Barber said. It's young people who give the energy and fire.""



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