An Open Letter & Open Report / New Orleans And My Black Babies



From: HK Edgerton (hk.edgerton@gmail.com)
Date: Thu, May 4, 2017
Subject: An Open Letter & Open Report / New Orleans and My Black Babies
To: siegels1 (siegels1@mindspring.com)

Dear Ms. Lunelle,

I should be giving a report on my recent journey to the great State of Alabama. However, with the recent turmoil that is taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana
(local hospital refusing to treat a man after he had a heart attack while being confronted by those who hate the South, because he wore a shirt that bore the Southern
Cross, gun shots being fired where those who stood protecting the Confederate soldiers monuments stood etc.), I feel compelled to speak about that.

My little Black babies asked if they were going to have to take the blame for what was happening in the South as did my generation had to do because of the actions of
a very few during the period of so called Reconstruction.

They would tell me that they have watched in total dismay the actions of the New Orleans Mayor, and more so of what is happening to the brave women like Ms. Arlene
Barnum, who was riding with Confederate Activist, the Honorable Anthony Hervey, who was killed.

As I stood with my flag posted this very morning on Patton Avenue in West Asheville, two of these young Black baby girls would appear and say to me, “Mr. HK, Ms. Arlene
is as brave as Minerva Morgan, who refused to let the Yankees soldiers steal General John Hunt Morgan’s gold watch, or the red shoes he gave to her. For her to go to
New Orleans, have her car tires slashed, and her car windows smashed after she suffered the ordeal of lying beside Mr. Hervey as his life passed away before her as they
both lay in a car turned over. Too much!”

They would go on to say, “Mr. HK, we read the email letter of Ms. Lunelle that was asking for funds to help you go to New Orleans, and at first we were so afraid for
you, and we were going to find you and ask you not to go. But, knowing you as we have come to do, we know that you are going even if you have to walk there. And it is
not much, but we took up a hundred dollars for you.” And with tears now streaming from their eyes, they would embrace me, and wish me a safe journey, and plea for me
to return home safely.

I shall attend the Dollywood Homecoming Parade in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Friday evening, May 5, 2017; deliver a speech in Moorefield, West Virginia on
Saturday, May 6, and afterwards make plans to journey to New Orleans. God bless you!

Your brother,

HK

Chairman, Board of Advisors
Southern Legal Resource Center