Dominique Wilkins on Why He Left Racist North Carolina and Didn't Return for 30 Years (Part 5)

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Dominique Wilkins recounted his experiences of severe racism in North Carolina, where multiple racially charged incidents and targeted harassment occurred, including a cross burning and the vandalizing of his mother’s vehicle. Most disturbing was an incident where he was falsely accused of theft in a store; an episode directly linked to his decision to leave the state. This tense situation would have escalated significantly had it not been for his police officer cousin who was called in to handle the allegation. With his assistance, Wilkins and his family promptly left the state, relocating to Atlanta in fear for their safety. He did not return to North Carolina until 30 years later for the unveiling of his statue. Comparing his experiences in North Carolina and Georgia, Wilkins felt he could "breathe again," emphasizing the supportive community and the sense of safety he found after his move.

[dancouver]

Dominque is the man, the fact that he wasn't on the 50 Greatest List is absolutely criminal.

[mikellehicks]

I’m from NC.. and totally understand why he left… it was wild around here…

[_LiveQ]

I’m from NC born and raised and luckily I’ve never experienced anything like that but I’ve always heard NC was a really terrible place as far as racism 35-40+ years ago

[dsales]

America as a whole is racist, I was born in the south and went to Oregon and was shocked. This was less than 5 years ago. I am a veteran and am ashamed of this country and almost hate that I served in two branches of the military.

[jrg]

Lol those are just certain part of GA most of Georgia is probably what he experienced in NC wherever he was.

[jjmatashi]

That's why I told my kids - do not ever move to a Red State. If you weren't born there, what's the point of moving there to go deal with all that BS?

[jcheat]

Add Virginia to the list of racist places. My experience wasn't way back in the day. It was 10 years ago.

[esimpson]

I NEVER NEW THIS, THATS SAD AF!!! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[kiaramurray]

I’m from NC and still here. Below Charlotte. I love it here. I know where to go and where not to. Usually you can tell. Extreme country, all trees and no stores, but then again I’m 35. My parents are 80 and 82 and from here. My mom saw the Klan lynch her uncle in 1958, as she was a 15 year old girl. They never went to school with whites. Whites burned their school down multiple times. But they stayed here, got educated and did very well financially enough to raise us in a mostly white upper class suburb behind a gated neighborhood. 🙏🏽 but honestly racism is everywhere and it’s bad in some areas in the south still. We have family in Georgia as well. Same. That old way of thinking is still existing in some areas.

[therealmrkirkland]

Hey Vlad I need my check. This is the first and only time I'm going to mention it.

[WhizMitchell]

What a horrible thing to go through. I’ve lived in the South my whole life, I’ve had a few incidents of my own here and there but nothing like what he had to endure. Clearly his family was not wanted there, they were very jealous of him. The cross burning incident would have definitely gotten me out of there.

[Waakiyl]

born in Brooklyn, Bedstuy.Roots are from Raleigh NC🎉🎉🎉.Peace.

[chuckchizzle]

I left Dayton Ohio in 2006 and didn't return till 2018..then left again.

[jameskelly]

Born and raised in Greensboro North Carolina and don’t plan on leaving

[DJXcalibur]

NC has not changed at all! That was the main reason I did not return there after being there a few years! The system there is 100% good ol’ boy! Very tough for blacks to get ahead. Even these days! Some may have gained a bit of steam, but those good ol’ boys will not allow them to obtain any real power!

[crunknavajo]

I rode through Kentucky and Tennessee, I did not want to stop. Friends are with me to go eat breakfast, it was like the movies when everyone stares at you and you can hear a needle drop.

[Red_Pill_King]

I think that racist people had a chaotic and terrible childhood.

[eugenecoward]

I'm from Washington and I witnessed the cross burning as a child. I was about 4 or 5 at the time. I lived about 5 houses down from his. I was young but ill never forget that night.

[itsascaryworld]

Raleigh/ Durham was segregated like 30-40 years ago and even had a movie made oh those two towns. Even to this day, certain spots are defeated and you can tell it’s still a shit show.

[russelturner]

Myself, I never experienced racism until I came to this country.