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.
If they don't like it ... tell them to meet the re-enactors on the field of battle. Otherwise they need to shut up and quit whining.
I have done impressions as a Russian Cossack 1814, French currasier 1814, 1846 Mounted Rifleman, 1846 Dragoon, 1860, 1863, & 1874 Federal Cavalry, Confederate Cavalry 1861-1865, Federal Mounted Artillery 1859-1865, and Mexican War Mounted Artillery. The number of blacks that attended all of the demonstrations that I have participated in would probably be a hundred out of 100,000. Most blacks belonging to the NAACP don't really give a damn about American History. I served with General Daniel James and when I ask most blacks who he was they haven't a clue. A radio station in Florence, Alabama once asked a trivia question about General James and after two hours of no answers I called in and gave them the answer. History means nothing to the NAACP, causing trouble and grandstanding headlines does.
Then Piper ought to disband his group and never open his mouth again.
If the local NAACP chapter wants to practice racism and hatred the I can't stop them. But what does that have to do with the reenactors?
Black History month?? How come we don't celebrate white history month? Now who's being racist? I have been reenacting for about 3 years and there are truly no bad talk about black people at these things. People are there to have fun and talk about history,(and maybe get drunk LOL!) and to recreate something that was a big part of this country. This I think is a great hobby to have, it is more like a big play or movie then a rally against black people. Nothing like that goes on at these events. They are trying to push the white people down sooo much that it makes all white people the minority!!!