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HELP! School Report



From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
Date: Thu, Feb 24, 2011
Subject: Fwd: HELP! school report
To: exec@slrc-csa.org

Dear Mr. McCredie,

I am truly disturbed that a supposed teacher would tell one of her students who wanted to do a report on me for Black History Month that I had not done anything for the Black community. And while I have always believed it fatuous to single out history in terms of race, I have been led to believe that Black History is not what a person has contributed only to the Black community as this teacher retorts, but a chronological record of significant events usually with an explanation of their causes.

However, having said, I guess it means nothing to this teacher that I co-founded the Black Student Center at the University of Minnesota and served as its Board Chair. Or that I served as a Student Regent on the Board of Regents at the University and sat giving input to the decision for the University to divest its interest in a South African gold mine, an action meant to support the freeing of then political prisoner Nelson Mandela. Or that I was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sabathani Community Center, a United Way Social Service agency located in the heart of the Black community in Minneapolis. Or that I developed a Social Trends Early Warning System for the Green Giant Company in Chaska Minnesota under the tutelage of Jon Pical as a part of its corporate social responsibility policy. Or that I worked directly for the Personnel Director, Bill Thomas and the Affirmative Action Director, Ms. Lillian Williams, studying student employment on and off campus. Or that I served as Spokesman for severval ethnic minority and women contractors doing work for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Or that I served on the Board of the North Minority Contractors. Or that I served as the Representative of the Black Leadership Caucus for District 50. Or that under the tutelage of the Honorable Jeromone Jones helped re-write the Minority Business Program for Asheville and Buncombe County North Carolina. Or that I served as the Chair of the Program, Planning and Implementation Committee of the Buncombe County Drug Commission. Or that I served on the Board of Directors for the Friends for Animals in Buncombe County. Or that I served as the First Vice President and President of the Asheville Branch of the NAACP. Or that I served on the Mayor’s Bi-Centennial Committee in the City of Asheville, North Carolina. Or that I served as a volunteer coach for youth basketball, baseball and golf in the youth leagues in Asheville, N.C. as well as in Fullerton, California. Or that I am now Chairman of the Board of Advisor Emeritus of the Southern Legal Resource Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Or that I now serve as the President of Southern Heritage 411, an organization that highlights the contributions of Southern Blacks to the Southland of America before, during and after the War Between the States. Or that in the year 2002, I would don the uniform of the Southern soldier while carrying the Southern Cross marching some twenty miles a day or more from Asheville, North Carolina to the Supreme Court Building located on the grounds of the Capitol in Austin, Texas, a feat that no other person in history would, on the Historic March Across Dixie.

Before this becomes redundant, I would send this teacher to my website: www.southernheritage411.com. However, with this blatant act of discrimination that she has shown towards me, I believe she has already been there. And for this reason, I don’t believe she should be in a classroom with any students anywhere.

HK Edgerton
Chairman of the Board of Advisors Emeritus SLRC
President Southern Heritage 411

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On Wed, Feb 16, 2011, Devita Howell [rosilin3@yahoo.com] wrote:

My Daughter’s teacher isnt letting her write a report on you for Black History month. What should I do? My other daughter (twins) who is in the same class is doing Fred Douglass.

Daveda Howell

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From: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]
To: Devita Howell [rosilin3@yahoo.com]
Sent: Fri, February 18, 2011

Subject: Re: HELP! school report

Dear Ms. Daveda,

I anxiously await the requested information on the name and location of this school.

HK

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From: Devita Howell [rosilin3@yahoo.com]
Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2011
Subject: Re: HELP! school report
To: HK Edgerton [hk.edgerton@gmail.com]

It is…

Ferry Pass Elementary School
8310 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL 32514-6090
(850) 494-5605

I have not personally spoken to the teacher, (last night at their music performance she was home sick with her own children) and I wanted advice before I say something stupid.
I greatly admire you, and feel you are an amazing American treasure. Everyone should know of you and the work you have done to acknowledge the many many black men who died for freedom. I was hurt when their teacher, Mrs. Loftin, said that you hadnt done anything for the black community. (my daughter said “African State” Im not sure what that is, but she may be mistaken) Anything would be helpful.

Thank you,
John & Daveda Howell