An Open Letter & Open Report / Black History Month / Carolina Day School
From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Thu, Feb 2, 2017
Subject: An Open Letter & Open Report / Black History Month / Carolina Day School
To: siegels1 [siegels1@mindspring.com]Dear Ms. Lunelle,
Today, February 2, 2017, in continuing the celebration of Black History Month, I would journey to the exclusive campus of Carolina Day School, an elite private school in Biltmore, North Carolina.
The first to come to where I stood was a young White school teacher of the school. “Sir,” she would ask, “why are you here at the entrance of our school don in a Confederate soldiers uniform, with the Confederate Battle flag?”
I would reply, “It is Black History Month. And I certainly hope that your students and staff would find food for thought by my presence to acknowledge the Black soldiers contribution to the Southern war effort, and that of his family as well.”
Her face would turn from a look of concern to what I can only describe as delight, as a big – no, huge smile would come across it. What would ensue would be a vibrant conversation that would last about 30 minutes about men like Dr. Alexander Darnes, Aid de Camp of the Honorable General Kirby Smith; Christopher Columbus Quarls; Rev. Mack Lee; Napoleon Nelson; John Mills and other Black Confederate soldiers who made huge contributions to the Confederate army, and later to society as civilians.
Before she would leave to attend her class, she would promise to acknowledge to her students the reason for my presence and asked if I ever spoke to school children? Before I could answer, we would be joined by a young White male and a Police Sgt. from the prestigious Biltmore Forest Police Department.
The Sgt. would call me by name, “HK, I’m just checking to make sure you know that I’m in the school, and to let you know that if you need us, we are here for your safety as well.” That would get him a hug. He even parked his car where it would be visible to anyone who came near where I stood, and disappeared into the school.
The teacher would say good bye, give me a hug and wish me a good day. The young man and I would be soon engrossed in a long conversation about reconstruction, and the true victims that the African people became because they were not prepared for freedom, and became pawns for those who came South to continue their plunder, and ravaging of Southern treasure. God bless you!
Your brother,
HK
Recipient, United Daughter of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis Medal
