[Rebeleye]

DERIDDER -- The Beauregard-Vernon NAACP on Thursday formally denounced an upcoming Civil War re-enactment. The local chapter cited racism and hatred as its reasons for opposition. Members agreed there's nothing they can do to stop this year's event,but pledged to work together to stop next year's reenactment.

The Battle of Hickory Creek is a fictional Civil War battle loosely based on the massive overland invasion of western Louisiana in the fall of 1863. The Rev. James Piper was the chief spokesman during the meeting Thursday. About 20 people attended. "I have checked, and the NAACP is against reenactments nationwide," he said. "It was excommunicated from Merryville, and now it is about to happen in DeRIDDER." Piper said his group is against anything that "brings disharmony" and that "disrupts social and civil peace." Tommie Willis, a chapter officer, said she's appalled that schoolchildren from around the area will be bused in for the event. On Friday, Feb. 23, there will be a living history exhibit for students. The reenactment is being hosted Feb, 24-25 by Sons of Confederate Veterans Jesse M. Cooper Camp 1665 and the Emma Sansom Chapter of the Order of the Confederate Rose. It's being held on a 120-acre tract that belongs to Helen Lee and her son, Jimmy. It's located just outside of DeRidder's corporate limits. A similar reenactment had been held in Merryville for the past 13 years but was discontinued due to lack of adequate space. This is not the first time complaints of racism have surfaced surrounding Civil War reenactments. Local organizers however have repeatedly said they are not promoting racism, only preserving their historical heritage. Piper said the Confederate Battle Flag is a racist symbol and many who honor it are also racists. On the national level, the NAACP has opposed the flag. It has stated that it is a "primary symbol" for white supremacists and is an "affront to a majority of America." Not all those attending opposed the reenactment. Carl Allen said he does not like the flag or the reenactment, but supports the rights of those who do like it. "In America we can express ourselves," he said. "I don't accept that flag or what it stands for. We did not oppose this when it was across the street in Merryville but now that it's in our back yard, we want to vote our opposition." Local chapter president, the Rev. Fred Ross, said that the reenactment will not help the black population or community. He and Piperurged those at the meeting to be united in their opposition. Others said the problems in DeRidder go far beyond a flag or reenactment. An impassioned Charles Butler said he had suffered racism and lost his job with the City of DeRidder's Public Works Department for standing against it. He said he could not "sit still for something that represents racism Others said they don't like the reenactment being held in February, a month set aside for black history.

[Arkinsaw]

Nut jobs. Total nut jobs.

[dalebert]

This is silly. What good does it do anyone to attempt to erase the history of this country. I offended that anyone would take my freedom and rights away today just as they claim to be offended over the rights of their ancestors. Thought we fought wars to protect us from this.

[Ciexyz]

This is distressing to read. The NAACP is being intolerant of the right of others to honor their own history.

We should raise a toast to the memory of all those brave soldiers on both sides of that terrible conflict.

[tet68]

Others said they don't like the reenactment being held in February, a month set aside for black history.

Set aside for black history?

SET ASIDE FOR BLACK HISTORY?

Damn I'm tired of this.

Go reenactors!

[IronJack]

Piper said his group is against anything that "brings disharmony" and that "disrupts social and civil peace."

Yeah, ask AL Sharpton about his march through Bensonhurst. Or Jesse Jackson about the Decatur Four. The "civil rights community" LIVES to disrupt social and civil peace.

[Ciexyz]

Others said they don't like the reenactment being held in February, a month set aside for Black History.

Oh, well then! We should also cancel Valentine's Day and President's Day. Cancel anything that doesn't have a connection to "Black History Month".(/sarcasm)

And let's throw out history prior to the Civil Rights era. Repeat after me: "America is racist, Only Black sensibilities matter. Black, black, black, black, black, black. (more /sarcasm)

[John H K]

The Beauregard-Vernon NAACP

Has this NAACP chapter even checked into its own name?

[templar]

..Piper said his group is against anything that "brings disharmony" and that "disrupts social and civil peace."

I suppose this means they would have opposed the Emancipation Proclamation had they been around in the mid 1800's?

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Piper said his group is against anything that "brings disharmony" and that "disrupts social and civil peace."

Such as black protest marches, welfare rights, phony claims for reparations, and so on? Screw the NAACP, the Negros of America for the Advancement of the Communist Party .

[Arm_Bears]

"The local chapter cited racism and hatred as its reasons for opposition."

I notice that ignorance and naivete got left out.

[jrd]

We need to say every time they bring this up that their freedom was paid in full with the blood of 620,000 men who died in the civil war!

[Steve_Seattle]

"his group [the NAACP] is against anything that promotes disharmony"

Then the NAACP should disband and Jesse Jackson should go into exile; they are about as disharmonious as it gets.

[ezone]

ignorance of history dooms us to repeat the same mistakes . an exhibition of history should offend no one , a repeat of history ....

[let us cross over the river]

We were at a re-enactment of the Battle of Aiken (SC) on Sunday and there were no protestors. Just a bunch of white folks pretending to kill each other. btw the South won ( as they do every year)

[Rose in RoseBear]

Heavy sigh ping.

[LibKill]

I have checked, and the NAACP is against reenactments nationwide

Why? Are they afraid that the South will win now that there are no bullets in any of the weapons? :)

[MichiganConservative]

This whole attitude of "let's forget history and destroy everything connected with it" is quite distressing. It's much like European countries that outlaw anything connected to Nazis. How are we supposed to avoid the mistakes of the past if we cannot publicly remember the past? Oh yeah, the idea of learning from the past is passe when we can learn all we need from the State.

[catfish1957]

OMG!!!!!

I posted an article about the same exact reenactment a year ago. Damn they are persistent

[mhking]

Just damn.

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[oyez]

If reenactments were racist the South would win every battle.

This is none of the NAACP's business.