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Black History Month / An Open Report
I would first of all like to thank the following organizations and those individuals
too numerous to list for their support for my Black History activities
: The North Carolina Order of The Confederate Rose, Dixie Out Post,
The Tennessee Division of The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Dixie
OutFitters, The Asheville/ Hendersonville Tribune Newspaper, and
The Southern Legal Resource Center.On Saturday morning,
February 3, 2007, I would adorn the uniform of the Southern Soldier,
pick up his glorious Flag and head down highway 25 into Travelers
Rest, South Carolina, where I would park in the lot of the beautiful
Dixie Out Post store and began an approximate 4-5 mile march towards
Greenville. I would be stopped many times along the way, and pose
for pictures, hug my babies, and of course their beautiful mothers
at the delight of their wonderful fathers, and answer the question
of the day ; Mr.. Edgerton, why are you marching today ? I would
respond that it was the beginning of Black History Month , and
I had began my celebrations of it in the home State of my Dear
mom where those men, and women, who who looked like me had earned
a place of honor and dignity in defense of their homeland; the
Southland of America . It was a glorious day in South, Carolina.On Monday morning, February 5, 2007, I would once again adorn
the Confederate Gray, and pick up the Southern Cross, head for
downtown Asheville, North Carolina, where I would park in the
lot of the Hometown Savings Bank. As I crossed the street, my
beautiful Flag flying briskly in the winter wind, I would be hailed
over the car intercom of one of Asheville’s finest police officers
with a wonderful greeting. I promptly headed to the front door
office of one of the weekly newspapers, The Mountain Express.
As I stood outside their doors, my first encounter would be with
two White gentlemen, one of which would identify himself as a
Northerner from Ohio. He would express that he was so delighted
to see me there representing the honor of not only those Black
soldiers who had fought in that terrible conflict that pitted
brother against brother, but for an American idea of First Amendment
Rights. I had to be careful, because I began to like this Yankee
who stood before me. Across the street I could see a middle age
Black man at the Haywood Park Hotel unloading a food truck watching
me very closely as the many people continued to parade by and
have conversation. Finally he finished his unloading and proceeded
across the street to where I stood. He pulled out his cell phone,
and asked if he could take a picture of me ? I agreed, and he
asked what my story was ? After I replied that I was there to
celebrate Black History Month; he commented that , you know you
are so right , we fought in all the wars of this country , didn’t
we ? He shook my hand, bid me adieu , and wished me God’s blessings.After spending approximately an hour and a half at the Express,
I headed up the street to the Asheville Citizen Times Newspaper
where I would again take up a position outside their office building.
After about an hour there, Tony Kiss, a Reporter and one of my
favorites of the paper would come out to greet me. He would ask
if I was there because I was still angry at the paper for not
mentioning the Honorable General Robert E. Lee’s 200 Birthday
Anniversary. I said that I was not, and that the Editor had responded
in kind with a wonderful article about the General, as well as
publishing my letter. I told him that I was there to celebrate
the Black Confederate Soldier, his family, and his place in America
history; one that would surely not be discussed by the media of
the day. John, the top photographer and a buddy of mine would
come out, take pictures of me, as would other employees of the
company would. I would speak to many other reporters that I had
occasioned to also play golf with as a team member of the paper
about the reasons for being there. Many would offer me coffee,
and salutations. After about an hour of conversation with the
many folks who would pass by; I headed towards the center of downtown
towards the monuments of the Honorable Zebulon Vance, and General
Lee. I would hear the Rebel Yell come from a beautiful sports
car that had it’s top down. If you have not heard the Rebel Yell
called out from a Southern woman, you have missed one of the delights
of being Southern. It is more like the song of an Angel. I know
that the men of the North feared that sound. However, if they
had heard our Southern women sound it out, they may have surrendered
on the spot, it is quiet beautiful. As I continued on towards
the monuments, I would be stopped several times to pose for pictures,
even from the young lady who I had delighted in hearing sing out
the Rebel Yell. I would also pass a young Black man who would
proclaim to me that he was from New York City, but that he very
much respected what I was doing. I thanked him. It had been a
great day in the city. I headed home to await the morrow , and
with God’s willing , I would on that day began again these celebrations.
It is notable to mention that there was no mention of my activities
in either the Mountain Express, or the Asheville Citizen Times.HK
