From 1929 to 1974, the state of North Carolina sterilized more than 7,600 people deemed diseased or
feebleminded. Most of the people were black and poor, and some were as young as 10; few of the sterilizations, if any, were voluntary.
In case anybody thinks such horrors were unique to North Carolina or to the South, more than 30 states had similar programs. Over 70,000 people were sterilized. In 2003, when it convened a panel to study how to help surviving victims, North Carolina actually became the first state to formally confront their shameful past.
Now, under recently proposed state legislation, survivors would be entitled to compensation.
A measure of justice [Greensboro News-Record]
