An Open Letter & Open Report / The Hijacking
From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Wed, Jan 11, 2017
Subject: An Open Letter & Open Report / The Hijacking
To: siegels1 [siegels1@mindspring.com]Dear Ms. Lunelle,
On Wednesday, January 11, 2017, as I made my way toward the Continental Divide, four young Black men would pull their car alongside me and ask if they could walk with me for a while? Yes, would be my reply.
The tallest of the four would be the first to speak: “Mr. HK, I read that you said that the North hijacked the Stars and Stripes from the South during the War Between the States, thus the reason that the Stars and Bars so resembles it.
“We love you for representing the honor of Southern Blacks who stood by the South during the late unpleasantness. However, for too long, many Southern Whites have allowed the Confederate flag to be hijacked from Southern Blacks, especially by the Ku Klux Klan.
“And trust me, we full well understand how the honor our ancestors earned alongside the Southern White man was almost totally pushed asunder because of the actions of the Northern modus operandi during the 12 year period of reconstruction.
“Our people were victims Mr. HK, just like they are in Chicago. Afraid to stand up against the evil thrust upon them, and unable to get or no knowledge of, where to seek help to combat those forces of evil.
“We are amazed and proud of you being able to make a stand as you do when people call you Uncle Tom, or Coon, in an attempt to demean your character. And we want you to know that you have more support in the Black community than you can ever imagine. And, we also want you to know that we got your back, and shall always love and respect you.” “Yea, Mr. HK,” the other three young men would say in unison.
I know that the people who watched from their cars as I embraced these young men were amazed and happy to witnessed this spectacle – a handsome old man carrying the Confederate Battle Flag, being hugged by four young Black men!
One young White man would yell from his car, as he pumped his fist, “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” The Rebel Yell would follow!
I only wish that the poverty pimps and Dylan Roof could have been present as flies on the wall on this day. God bless you!
Your brother
HK
Recipient, United Daughters of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis Medal
