The Rev. William Barber, the state NAACP leader who has been a vocal critic of the dismantling of the Wake County schools' diversity policy, received a high honor this weekend from the governor.
Gov. Bev Perdue presented the 46-year-old civil rights leader the Order of the Long Leaf Pine at a ceremony Saturday night in Durham. The two were at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, a political organization that for many years played a large role in determining which candidates were successful in Durham elections.
In her brief comments, Perdue mentioned his efforts to build coalitions to fight for equality, Barber said. Chrissy Pearson, a spokeswoman for Perdue, said that the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People nominated Barber for the award and that, since Perdue was at the event, she accepted the committee's invitation to present it.
Barber, who has brought a new crackle to the state NAACP since taking over as president roughly five yeas ago, has spent much of his time in office crusading against inequalities plaguing the state's public schools, fighting for a higher minimum wage, pushing for reforms in the justice system and speaking out against racism, classism and sexual violence.
This month, after a scathing audit revealed problems in the State Bureau of Investigation's crime lab and researchers found evidence of racial disparities in the trials and sentencing of death row inmates, Barber called for reforms.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors the governor can bestow on a North Carolina resident, was created in the mid-1960s to recognize a proven record of service or some other special achievement.
Past recipients include such famous Tar Heels as Maya Angelou, Billy Graham, Michael Jordan and Bob Timberlake, along with longtime state employees, prominent business executives and noted politicians, musicians, actors and advocates.
Barber, who was preaching in Chicago on Sunday, said he had no idea the recognition was coming.
"I was totally surprised," Barber said. He added that he would dedicate the award to his mother, who spent 44 years working in public education.
