Written by Kristen Snyder
The conservative voice is back on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, but this time it came with a microphone. UNC College Republicans, Turning Point USA, and Students for Life have teamed up as a conservative front to represent their ideology on campus.
Alongside their tabling efforts and various events, UNC’s conservative conglomerate brought big names to campus this fall: Dr. Ben Carson and Kristan Hawkins.
Carson’s presence on campus filled the Great Hall with both students and members of the community. He spoke about his overall disappointment with the political left, specifically referring to their lack of appreciation for the American dream and love and respect for the nation. Before formally endorsing former President Donald Trump later that weekend, Carson specified his values for a presidential nominee.
“First of all, they have to love our country—I think it’s essential. And, they have to be for the people not for the government, because if our country is going to thrive in the future, it has to be about we the people; it was designed of, by, and for the people not of, by, and for the government—so people who think the government is the solution to everything definitely don’t want those individuals,” said Carson.
Carson’s speech focused on his value of hard work, emphasizing his own story, referring to his determination in school with the support of his mother, which ultimately led to his career as a renowned surgeon. He also made sure to promote his new web-based education and training program, Executive Branch for America, aiming to teach students more about the executive branch and the role they can have in it.
“I think it’s very important that students recognize that we the American people are not each other’s enemies and don’t fall prey to those who are trying to divide us on the basis on any difference they can find—that’s not why we are called the United States,” said Carson.
While some students protested Carson’s views on climate change during his presentation, Carson still took questions from attendees. UNC Young Democrats decided not to protest, claiming Carson’s presence on campus had little effect, and that he was not politically relevant enough for them to protest. However, they took issue with his views regarding the American Dream.
“Ben Carson likes to talk about his career as a main reason why systemic racism doesn’t exist in American society, and although his story is incredible, and it provides a nuisance to black Americans more broadly. That nuisance doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s the exception for millions of black and brown people across the country,” said TJ White the President of UNC Young Democrats.
Students from Turning Point USA were pleased with the event’s turnout saying they were excited to bring a big-name conservative to campus.
“I feel like this is a largely liberal campus, that might go for many campuses across the United States, but ultimately we are trying to show that there is another side here … more importantly I think that I like to show that just a small group of people can have a large impact,” said Colby Kelley TPUSA co-president.
Just two weeks before Carson’s event on campus, Students for Life hosted Kristan Hawkins.
Hawkins has gained national attention with her podcast, “Explicitly Pro-Life” and her speaking tour titled, “I’m Coming for Your Abortion Access.” Hawkins focused on spreading her message at the Pit, making UNC-Chapel Hill the third stop of her speaking tour.
Hawkins’ presence on campus provoked many students into engaging in the abortion debate. Chalking the bricks at the Pit with statements supporting the pro-life ideology, Hawkins and SFL representatives received backlash from students almost immediately.
Hawkins shocked students by drawing connections between Hamas and Planned Parenthood. She specifically referenced the similarity she saw in the abortion process and Hamas’ act of cutting off babies’ heads.
“Planned Parenthood = Hamas,” Hawkins wrote on the bricks.
Students poured their water bottles over the chalk to wash away the words. They covered the chalk with their jackets and book bags. Some students wiped away the pro-life statements with their feet.
Hawkins attempted to reopen the abortion debate during her speech in the Great Hall later in the evening, but her event was minimally attended due to the pro-choice party hosted by UNC Young Democrats just outside of her event.
“We wanted to have a counter-event to celebrate reproductive rights and advocate for pro-choice policies in North Carolina,” said TJ White the President of UNC Young Democrats.
The party was well attended, and many UNC students took the time to stop by the pit, listen to music, hit a pinata, and take information and giveaways from pro-choice organizations. Although turnout at the event drew many attendees away from Hawkins’ event, she said that she would continue to fight for a cause she believes is worthwhile.
“Lives are literally on the line when you’re debating with someone about abortion. When you are talking to someone about abortion, I’m not debating just tax policy; I’m talking about human lives, innocent, vulnerable children, mothers who are being targeted by the abortion industry whose lives are on the line,” said Kristan Hawkins, the President of Students for Life of America.
After COVID-19 shut down UNC’s campus in 2020, it seemed to many that the conservative voice on campus died. With little to no representation, conservative students struggled to share their ideology on campus. While that may still be the case as specified in a Daily Tar Heel article in 2022, we are beginning to see there are changes taking place at UNC.
Conservatives are mobilizing, led by conservative leaders as they reintroduce their perspective on national and domestic issues here on campus. While their ideology may be considered unpopular at UNC-Chapel Hill, there is no doubt that conservative students have chosen to fight to have their voice heard on campus, and this time through the bullhorn of big-name conservative representatives.
But, the question remains: what will this newfound voice bring next to UNC students?
What will it bring? Hopefully a desire to hear debate and know truth.