Fan criticizing Virginia Board of Education Member Wes Bellamy

Content Description

This collection contains one printed fan with a photograph of Wes Bellamy next to a Confederate Flag. The text reads, "One of these is Racist. The Other is a Confederate Flag" with "#AdministrativeLeave" underneath. Unknown persons printed the fan, most likely by local neo-Confederates, who, in late 2016 and early 2017, campaigned to remove Bellamy, who was then Charlottesville City Council and Virginia Board of Education member, from office. Bellamy had championed the 2016 petition by then-Charlottesville High School student Zyahna Bryant, UVA '23, to remove the city's Confederate statues. Bellamy was pressured to resign when Jason Kessler, a white nationalist and UVA'09 graduate, uncovered anti-white, sexist, and homophobic tweets by Bellamy. Bellamy resigned from the Board of Education in December 2016 and was placed on administrative leave at Albemarle High School. Apologizing to his colleagues and the public for his past social media conduct, Bellamy retained his position on the Charlottesville City Council and filed a suit against Kessler. Kessler was eventually charged with perjury while Bellamy stayed in office for the remainder of his term.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

Gift of Jalane Schmidt, 12 June 2023. Found in the chambers of the City Council.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No