KKK leader's name to be removed from Florida High School

[mojaveman]

A Florida school board has agreed to begin considering whether to change the name of a primarily black high school named for the first "grand wizard" of the Ku Klux Klan and Confederate Army General, Nathan Bedford Forrest.

In this era of political correctness I'm amazed the name of the school wasn't changed a long time ago.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs...opstories.html

[Pete]

Still waiting for all the "Byrd" named items to be changed.

[NurseTim]

Not to be insensitive, but what is their mascot? A rebel? I would have thought this would have been addressed in the 70's. Really? Wow.

[The Reaper]

I think you have to look at the man in the context of his times. There are a significant number of former U.S. Presidents who were slave holders, or whom conducted themselves in a manner that would be rejected today.

General Forrest was a polarizing character, no doubt.

Rising from his enlistment as a private, he attained the rank of Lieutenant General in four years and was one of the few general officers to take active part in his military operations. He was extremely courageous and killed several men in close combat.

At the end of the war, General Forrest counseled his men to return home and be good Americans.

In the Reconstruction era, there were many men of evil intent from both sides roaming the former Confederate states, and taking advantage of citizens was a way of life. Numerous societies and organizations were founded to protect the populace, and to take advantage of them.

The Klan was originally formed as a veterans organization, and that was when General Forrest joined. As they began to adopt violence and condone extremist views, he is said to have disbanded the organization in 1869.

In 1875, he was invited to speak to a group of black citizens backing racial reconciliation, where he stated:

"Ladies and Gentlemen I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. ( Immense applause and laughter.) This day is a day that is proud to me, having occupied the position that I did for the past twelve years, and been misunderstood by your race. This is the first opportunity I have had during that time to say that I am your friend. I am here a representative of the southern people, one more slandered and maligned than any man in the nation. I will say to you and to the colored race that men who bore arms and followed the flag of the Confederacy are, with very few exceptions, your friends. I have an opportunity of saying what I have always felt - that I am your friend, for my interests are your interests, and your interests are my interests. We were born on the same soil, breathe the same air, and live in the same land. Why, then, can we not live as brothers? I will say that when the war broke out I felt it my duty to stand by my people. When the time came I did the best I could, and I don't believe I flickered. I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe that I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to bring about peace. It has always been my motto to elevate every man- to depress none. (Applause.) I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, that you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Use your best judgement in selecting men for office and vote as you think right. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. I have been in the heat of battle when colored men, asked me to protect them. I have placed myself between them and the bullets of my men, and told them they should be kept unharmed. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand." (Prolonged applause.)

I would grant that LTG Forrest, while a military hero, is a controversial figure. I think that it is likely the school was named after him as a gesture of defiance by racists during the civil rights era. I would not attempt to justify it.

Having said that, I do think that General Forrest has been the victim of a campaign to tarnish his military reputation. I believe that it is important to examine LTG Forrest's words and deeds in the context of the time and mores of the culture he lived in. In such context, I do not believe that he is the Great Satan he is made out to be, but I do not believe that we should be naming high schools after him either.

Shelby Foote said that he felt Forrest and Sherman were the two greatest military leaders to come from the Civil War. I think he was at least half right.

TR

[Richard]

Yeah, well I can understand how an African-American community would rightfully have issues with a school named for someone whose 'reputation' includes:

"...successful businessman – indeed a millionaire – dealing in cotton, land and slaves."

"'...in April 1864, Forrest and his men were involved in one of the most controversial episodes of the Civil War. After surrounding Fort Pillow, near Memphis, Forrest demanded the surrender of the garrison, which included 262 soldiers of the U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. When the Union forces refused, Forrest’s men easily overran the fort. Then, according to several eyewitness accounts, the Confederates, enraged by the sight of black men in Federal uniform, executed many of the colored troops after they had surrendered: an unambiguous war crime. Though accounts varied, the incident stands as one of the most gruesome of the Civil War era; “Remember Fort Pillow” became a rallying-cry for African-American soldiers throughout the Union Army.'"

"...is best known as having been a prominent figure in the foundation of the Ku Klux Klan, a group composed of mostly Confederate veterans committed to violent intimidation of blacks, northerners and republicans."

http://www.civilwar.org/education/hi...d-forrest.html

Richard

[The Reaper]

U.S Presidents owning slaves:

Washington
Jefferson
Madison
Monroe
Jackson
Van Buren
Harrison
Tyler
Polk
Taylor
Johnson
Grant

Many of these prospered as well. I suppose by the above standard, they should not have schools named after them, either.


The accounts of Fort Pillow remain controversial to this day. Each side has their own version, and I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in between. Ultimately, history is largely written by the victors, or those with the most ink.

In fact, the Confederates, who outnumbered the Federal troops by four to one or more, had the fort surrounded and in an advantageous positions to deliver a withering cross-fire upon the defenders, creating the majority of the casualties, which approached 50% of the Federal forces. Forrest offered terms to the then Federal commander, Major Bradford:

"The conduct of the officers and men garrisoning Fort Pillow has been such as to entitle them to being treated a prisoners of war. I demand the unconditional surrender of the entire garrison, promising that you shall be treated as prisoners of war. My men have just received a fresh supply of ammunition, and from their present position can easily assault and capture the fort. Should my demand be refused, I cannot be responsible for the fate of your command."

Bradford's response: "I will not surrender."

Forrest immediately ordered a charge on the remainder of the Federals. The Union troops broke and ran for their gunboats nearby where many were shot down on the run, and others drowned trying to swim to safety. The fleeing Federal soldiers admitted that they kept their weapons and many continued to fire during their withdrawal from the fort.

Does this sound a bit inflammatory? "the Confederates, enraged by the sight of black men in Federal uniform...." How would you (or anyone other than the soldiers involved) know what "enraged" the Confederates? By all accounts I can find, neither Major Booth (the initial Federal commander who was killed early on), nor Major Bradford struck the colors or raised a while flag. How do you determine when a force has ceased resistance, but continues to fire? Note, this is all prior to the Geneva or Hague Conventions.

I have already addressed Forrest's participation in the Klan in my previous post.

We can each review the facts and accounts and take of history what we will.

FWIW, I agree that the school should not be named for General Forrest. I do however, applaud him for his bravery and courage in combat. He had three horses shot out from underneath him at Fort Pliiow.

TR