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H.K. Edgerton, Human Rights Defender
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
One cannot have a website on Black Confederate Soldiers without recognizing the contributions of Mr. H. K. Edgerton. Setting aside any division between H. K. Edgerton and the NAACP, the best definition to describe Mr. Edgerton is Human Rights Defender. H. K. Edgerton has walked across this nation defending the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution through Confederate marches, rallies, Civil War re-enactments, state and local political gatherings as well as educational events.
As an example, when you donate to PEN American Center and English PEN, you support the freedom to write across this world. Journalists are imprisoned in other countries for standing on the opposite side of particular governments. Our 21st Century United States officials and soldiers fight daily for the release of journalists from foreign prisons.
However, we in America are building virtual prisons and walls. We ostracize others who disagree with our opinions. We set them aside and treat them like the medieval town jester. However, if we as a society would only pause, we can gain better understanding of each other’s opinions while protecting the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution.
During the War Between the States, the United States Flag and the national Confederate States of America Flag looked too similar for soldiers across the battlefield. Confederate soldiers were unintentionally emerging from the horizons into Union territory; as a result, Confederate soldiers were being killed because they could not distinguish the two flags from a distance. For our students—in American football, we call this a touchback. Therefore, the Confederate Battle Flag was created and adopted for visual clarity.
The moment one understands the origin of the Confederate Battle Flag, Mr. H. K. Edgerton arises as a Human Rights Defender. We in America have virtually imprisoned those who truly want to preserve the chronicles of Confederate States Army history. The number of people marching on Main Street displaying the Confederate Battle Flag is no longer in proportion with the number of people who display the Confederate Battle Flag at their homes. Some United States schools prohibit students from wearing Confederate Battle Flag emblems. Some citizens cannot fly the Confederate Battle Flag on their own property due to neighborhood homeowner association covenants. Here is the hypocrisy. Anti-Confederate groups denounce the Confederate Battle Flag but accept the national Confederate States of America Flag which displays gloriously across America. Is America losing her splendor?
Again, to H. K. Edgerton, who defends daily the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, and to our United States Arm Forces, I am truly grateful.
