Posted on 09/06/2001 1:34:09 PM PDT by sweetliberty
Black Mayoral Candidate Embraces Confederate Flag By Matt Pyeatt CNSNews.com Staff Writer September 06, 2001
(CNSNews.com) - It may not be a surprise that a candidate for mayor in Asheville, N.C. stands in defense of the Confederate Flag, but the fact that the candidate is a black man who once served as president of the Asheville NAACP is different.
Mayoral candidate H.K. Edgerton said he's passionate about the south and his hometown of Asheville, and is taking his cause to the people in an attempt to be elected mayor.
According to Edgerton, blacks in the "Southland of America" should have a better understanding of the history of their ancestors.
"We are talking about a people who fought and died and earned a place of honor and dignity during the war of secession," Edgerton said.
Edgerton is staunchly pro-south and is well known in Asheville for standing with a Confederate flag in one hand and a sign saying, "Heritage, Not Hate" in the other.
"I have had constructive criticism, but the African American here in the city of Asheville seems, it appears to me, to be one who will go out and search out through history," said Edgerton. "They know who I am and they know that I have given my life in the streets of Asheville for their social and vertical mobility," he said.
Edgerton said even though not everyone agrees with his stand on the Confederacy, most understand his convictions and their depth.
He also believes that many of the problems involving perceptions of the Confederacy stem from the fact that the victor - the Union forces of the North - writes the history of war.
Education, he said, is the key to understanding. "A great deal of history has just been lied about and misguided, and certainly all the blame has been placed on the Christian white folk in the Southland of America for the institution of slavery. That needs to change," Edgerton said.
While the Asheville election process is non-partisan, Edgerton said, "I am a Republican and have always been a Republican."
Edgerton said that he has already won because he has had an opportunity to raise those issues with the people of Asheville. "I always have confidence and I only go out to win, but you never know what will happen in politics. Win, lose or draw, I've already won," he said.
Numerous attempts to contact the NAACP regarding Edgerton's candidacy and positions were unsuccessful, but regardless of what some may feel about the Confederate flag, Edgerton proudly embraces the symbol as one of pride and heritage.
Efforts by the NAACP to remove Confederate flags from the public square - including its announced boycott of South Carolina tourism by blacks - do not deter Edgerton from expressing his opinion on the issue.
"I always wear my Confederate tie to all my campaign forums, up to and including the NAACP's most recent campaign forum," Edgerton said. "All I'm trying to do is get it out of the way, because there are other things that are happening in the city of Asheville. The people's issues need a great deal of attention," he said.
As a past president of the Asheville NAACP, Edgerton is quick to point out that "the NAACP does not speak for all the black folks in the Southland of America or in America."
Here is a man who cherishes America; who accepts the history of all of America with both humility and pride, having no need to rewrite it to promote a political agenda; who dares to defy the stereotype to step forward and lead people whom he serves....southern Americans, some of whom happen to be black. I hope he wins. America needs more leaders such as this. My prayers are with you Mr. Edgerton!
This guy sounds pretty impressive. All he needs now is an update in nomenclature. It was the "War of the Rebellion."
They want it to be a federal hate crime to display these symbols, even on private property. They want people to lose their jobs and homes as a result. This is a serious freedom issue. It is refreshing that many intelligent independent-minded black people are not suckered into this oppressive viewpoint.
I smell blood. The jig may well be up for the likes of Jackson, Waters, Sharpton, Mfume, etc. This guy needs to be supported by everyone in a position to do so. Does it violate campaign laws to send money from out of state?
We live in exciting times.
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