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Eugenics In North Carolina And Victim Compensation

North Carolina has received plenty of negative attention nationally for things happening in the legislature. But we're also making news for another reason. North Carolina will spend $10 million to compensate victims of a state-sponsored sterilization program, making it the first state in the country to do so. It's an effort to make reparations for what was one of the most extensive and longest-running eugenics programs. Between 1929 and 1974, the state sterilized 7,600 people because they were considered "feeble minded," promiscuous or otherwise socially or mentally unfit, even some single women on welfare. It's a feat that only happened because of something rather uncommon these days - bi-partisanship. We'll talk with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle about the process and hear from a recipient of that compensation - a sterilization victim, when Charlotte Talks.

Guests

Rep. Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) - Speaker of the House, Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
Rep. Larry Womble (D-Forsyth) - Former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
Julie Rose - WFAE Reporter
Elaine Riddick - Victim of North Carolina's forced sterilization program

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