Malchick Films and Soundboy America Pictures presents
a Skip Pulley Documentary:

Freedom vs. Liberty: Life in the Old North State

Set entirely in the state of North Carolina, this film is a departure from the normal
documentary format. It encompasses years of progression and regression,
economic growth and social failure, reconstruction and segregation.

The entire project centers around my personal experiences here, the history of
my family and my curiosity about the battle flag that some confederates including
North Carolinians fought under during the Civil War. This was different from the
Confederate National Flag, which most people do not find offensive in the least.
(Arkansans & Texans usually fought under their State Flag) We explore this flag
as a historic symbol, but also as a contemporary one. The history of the flag is
relatively simple, Confederate troops had difficulty distinguishing themselves from
the enemy, often firing on their own troops. An idea was put forward to have a
specific flag for engagement purposes, later named the St. Andrews Cross.
(The Union troops at Shiloh described it as gaudy and repulsive,
which may have been the original intent)

My family history is eclectic. Some of my ancestors were Confederates, some were
slaves and some were Native Americans from local tribes. I have lived here since
the mid-seventies and started my career here in the nineties, but it never
occurred to me to understand this place. I have an ongoing love-hate relationship
with this State, so I thought I should try to understand what it's all about.

This year we travelled from one end of this State to the other. We drove hundreds
of miles and talked to more people than I can remember. We shared stories,
asked questions, learned history and philosophy, broke old stereotypes and made
new friends. But the meaning of Freedom is elusive and complex. The purpose of
Liberty may be far beyond the comprehension of the human mind. For seven
months now I have searched for both.

This is my story.
I have ancestors who fought for the confederacy.
They were planters who owned about twenty slaves.
They were originally French
and settled in Eastern NC.
When William T. Sherman's Union army entered the
state, they abandoned the Fleur de lis and picked up
the St. Andres cross. (shown left) After the war,
some of the returning soldiers fathered children
with former female slaves.
Most former male slaves stayed on the plantation as
sharecroppers or tenant farmers.
Several members of my family were involved with
the struggle for civil rights. Much of the national
attention on the plight of the
American Negro originated in this state.
The feelings of pride or polarization that are felt
even today can be traced to the sacrifice made by a
few students who decided they finally had enough.
This journey of discovery is intense. I have explored the reality of my surroundings. I
found there was more than meets the eye.

1) Loyalty to the Crown -  in the late 18th century, the area around Charlotte, NC
was populated mostly by people who still considered themselves British subjects.
What happened to change their minds? What role did slavery and the agrarian
culture play during the revolution?

2) States Rights - Is this argument used by those that wish to absolve themselves
(or their ancestors) from the sin of holding another in human bondage? If it is a
constitutional argument, why is there is nothing in the constitution that says the
states have "rights"? There is only an article about how they should govern
themselves. But even that is a moot point because the only "right" certain states
wanted was to keep and maintain slavery. North Carolina was one of those states.
At the constitutional congress, NC delegates voted to keep slavery as part of their
culture. Men with nobler minds had an opportunity to prevail, but they did not.

3) Fighting for freedom - Is there a deeper socio-economic factor to the history of
this state? When I was younger, I only saw rebel symbolism displayed by those who
were known as the lower class. In almost all other places it was regarded as history.
I want to explore the reasons why poor southern whites were dominated and
oppressed by the plater class elite. They were willing to fight and die for a cause
from a theoretical nation, long before any "invasion". Are these also primarily the
same people who defend the flag symbolism today as "heritage"? The same social
class of people got sent into a meat-grinder of a war because aristocratic planters
wanted to maintain a stagnant way of life. Slaves were considered as property.
They believed the Government meant to take this property away.
If that is the constitutional argument, does it take precedent over moral obligation?

4) Post Reconstruction - After the civil war, former slaves struggled to find an
identity and fought for basic survival. They carved out a culture from practically
nothing and lay the foundation for heroes of future generations. In the midst of Jim
crow segregation they found a cultural identity.

5) Civil Rights - North Carolina saw dramatic increases in population and industry
between the first and second world war. Along with urban sprawl came cultural
conflict. The battle flag as a contemporary symbol was not an issue here for much of
the 20th century. It was shown in historic context and used to commemorate civil war
anniversaries. It was not until the "Dixiecrat's" (a segment of the democratic party)
adopted the symbol and used it for much of their rhetoric and campaigning. They
included Strom Thurman and NC native Jesse Helms. The symbol then re-emerged
as a symbol of defiance during the civil rights era, aimed at the Federal Government.

These are issues that form the basis of the film, but this is more than one film makers
journey. Supporting this film may be a huge step toward reconciliation and
understanding. This is a very non-indigenous state. Most of my friends are from the
north or the Midwest. I discovered that I could not form my own mentality until I
understood those around me, and those who came before. If you feel that going out
of your way to see life through someone else's eyes is too much to ask of someone,
then you need to question your beliefs. This is a great country, but it has never been
a great nation. If I can fully understand the place I have chosen to live in, then I may
help others do the same. Then we can move toward being great.

Skip Pulley
Two of my life-long heroes, John Coltrane and Theloneus Monk were both born here in
North Carolina. I cant help but wonder how their legacy and the future of jazz would have
developed if they had not left the state at an early age. When I was young, all I could
think about was leaving, but I had no idea why. I wonder what they were thinking, as they
were growing up in the Jim Crow South.
Soundboy America
Malchick Films
Malchick Films is a division of Soundboy America