Posted on 04/03/2013 3:25:29 PM PDT by BigReb555
Did you know that three Memphis, Tennessee parks named for our great Southern leaders Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest-Forrest Park, Confederate President Jefferson Davis-Jefferson Davis Park and Confederate Park were changed?
(Excerpt) Read more at canadafreepress.com ...
Did you know that three Memphis, Tennessee parks named for our great Southern leaders Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest-Forrest Park, Confederate President Jefferson Davis-Jefferson Davis Park and Confederate Park were changed? At Monday night’s meeting the people spoke out loud and clear to return the parks to their Confederate names.
http://wreg.com/2013/04/02/majority-at-metting-say-returns-parks-to-confederate-names/
Are they listening?
Some, today, even seek to ban the Confederate Battle flag, the blood-stained soldier’s banner of many hard fought battles, from Veterans Day events and the soldier’s memorial monument at South Carolina’s State Capitol. There is also a push to ban the Confederate flag at all NASCAR races.
Some groups claim the Southern flag is offensive to Black people.
But, what do they say to Black folks who call the Confederate flag a symbol of Southern Pride like Nelson Winbush of Florida who is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans—www.scv.org? Mr. Winbush speaks honestly and from the heart about the War for Southern Independence, 1861-65, and of his grandfather who fought for the South. He may even ‘proudly’ show you a picture of himself, as a child, with his Grandfather, Louis Napoleon Nelson, who rode with Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in Company M of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry and was buried with his Confederate uniform and Confederate flag draped casket.
Gen. Forrest said of the Black men who rode with him, “These boys stayed with me ... and better Confederates did not live.”
You might also ask Black Southern-Historian H.K. Edgerton who marched across Dixie from North Carolina to Texas attired in Confederate uniform, carrying the Confederate flag and educating many Black and White people along the way about their Southern Heritage. Edgerton is also past president of the local NAACP Chapter in Asheville, North Carolina.
Was Gen. Forrest an early advocate for Civil Rights?
Forrest’s speech during a meeting of the “Jubilee of Pole Bearers” is a story that needs to be told. Gen. Forrest was the first white man to be invited by this group which was a forerunner of today’s Civil Rights group. A reporter of the Memphis Avalanche newspaper was sent to cover the event.
Miss Lou Lewis, daughter of a Pole Bearer member, was introduced to Forrest and she presented the former general a bouquet of flowers as a token of reconciliation, peace and good will. On July 5, 1875, Nathan Bedford Forrest delivered this speech.
“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.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power 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, 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. 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. 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.) End of speech.
Nathan Bedford Forrest again thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Such a kiss was unheard of in the society of those days, in 1875, but it showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis, Tennessee.
Some people have claimed that Forrest was associated with the Ku Klux Klan but he officially denied participation. He encouraged the friendly reunion of North and South and the remembrance of both the Confederate and Union Dead.
April is Confederate History and Heritage Month. Read more on face book at: https://www.facebook.com/ConfederateHeritageMonth
Lest We Forget!
Not a deal the Heritage of the nation is of no concern
it will all be History Post Obummer Minority rules and really do not give a crap!
The sout has been inflitrated with doogoders as well as the Nation!
George Washington is just a figure of your imagination and the Revolution never occured! Paul Revere was gay! And the one eyed guy in the famous depiction of the parade with the fife and the drummer was self inflicted! This is the new America! The heros of late are Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Louis Farrakan! bottom line is “We don’t need no American History Obummer is AD 2008!”
The Boy King is back in Da house! All history started then!
“So it is written It shall be done!”
Yes, you are right. Slaves were treated so well in the South I don’t know what the fuss was all about.
I’m a New Yorker and my family came to these shores around 1900 so I have no ax to grind.
I feel a kinship toward those who defended their states during the war
As far as the KKK if I am not mistaken their were at least 3 POTUSs of both parties who were KKK members in the 20th century.
Respect for those who fought that war on both sides must be observed. It is our history and our forebears should be respected.
Leave it toi a southerner to mispell SOUTH! LOL
Let me guess...they renamed them Obama Park, Baraq Obama Park and B.H. Obama Park
Name them.
Name them.
“Nathan Bedford Forrest...showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis, Tennessee.”
Question, if Forrest loved black folks so much like you say, why did he join the KKK (and was possibly a Grand Wizard, though there is dispute on that)?
Doesn’t seem to make sense.
not to be critical, but you misspelled to and misspell!!
I was born in Memphis in 1944, and quite close to Forest Park. (Methodist hospital)
For over 50 years I was in, or close to Memphis, but left the country in 2000.
Memphis was a fine city prior to the 80s, as it was the nations quietest and cleanest city in the country and had a b/w ration of 40/60.
It also had light, gas, and water departments under one roof, and as well run as any utility system in the country.
Memphis also had the number one fire department in the US, and was home to the national fire fighter’s convention every year.
After the blacks went to 60 percent over 40 percent white, the city went down the tubes.
I understand that the utilities were split up and sold to companies outside of the state.
Memphis is now “gone with the wind”, and I have left the new USSA for good.
Maybe they should change the name to Obamaville.
Forrest denied any association with the KKK.
Of course, you realize that they ALL took up arms against the government of the United States and by ANY definition of the term they qualify as traitors. Why should any public park be dedicated to traitors? I bet you wouldn’t be crying “foul” if someone wanted to change the name of a park entitled : “Rosenberg Park” or “Alger Hiss Park”. The confederacy died 148 years ago. Let it remain dead and let the history books merely state that the “seccesh” lost. They took up arms against the government of the United States and LOST !
Denial is one thing.... facts is another. Fact: Nathan Bedford Forrest was a founder of the Ku Klux Klan and was responsible for the Fort Pillow massacre.
If lovers of the Confederacy are not the local homeowners and voters in these districts, they don't have much reason to complain about what the locals want to name these parks.
You can't abandon neighborhoods in droves and expect those neighborhoods to remain as if you never decided to leave.
Southern cities are becoming as, um, “urban” as northern cities. Look how corrupt urban citizens ruined the finances of Birmingham. Atlanta is fast becoming Chicago South.
Well then, was it a fact that he was invited to speak in Memphis, that he spoke those words, and was honored by the black citizens of the city?
“Forrest denied any association with the KKK.”
And other people have absolutely confirmed it.
Do you really think that someone involved with terrorizing and murdering people would admit it??? Prisons are full of people who deny committing crimes. Do you think they are all innocent? Of course General Forrest denied it, silly.
Southern heritage is a beautiful thing and most of our Confederate brothers are worthy of honor under their banners and flags, but let’s not delude ourselves. Next you’ll be telling me that blacks LOVED slavery because a few hundred slaves served the Confederacy in exchange for freedom.
Why were they named for Southern leaders in the first place? How often do the losers in a war get to name stuff in honor of their leaders? Is there a Tojo Park in Tokyo? A King George III Park in Washington, DC?
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