School To Keep Former Klan Leader's Name

Fla. School Board Votes To Retain Name Of Confederate General, KKK Leader

(AP)  A Florida school board voted late Monday night to keep the name of a Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader at a majority black high school, despite opposition from a black board member who said the school's namesake was a "terrorist and racist."

After hearing about three hours of public comments, Duval County School Board members voted 5-2 to the retain the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School. The board's two black members cast the only votes to change the name.

"(Forrest) was a terrorist and a racist," argued board member Brenda Priestly Jackson, who is black.

Betty Burney, the board chairman and the board's other black member, also voted against retaining the name.

"It is time to turn the page and get beyond where we are," she said.

Board member Tommy Hazouri voted to keep the name and said it is difficult to know "who the real Forrest is."

The board listened to passionate arguments from those on both sides. More than 140 people crowded into the meeting room, with another 20 watching the meeting on a television in the lobby.

Many urged a name change, saying the Forrest name was an insult.

"Nathan Bedford Forrest was part of the Ku Klux Klan, no matter how you put it. Nathan Bedford Forrest needs to be changed," said Stanley Scott, who is black.

But several spoke favorably of the general, saying the perceptions that Forrest was an evil man who ordered the massacre of Union troops were incorrect.

June Cooper, who graduated from Forrest in 1970, said some people wanted to wipe out Southern history.

"He was a good man," said Cooper, who is White. "He was a military genius."

Despite her opposition, the board's chairwoman noted that the intensely debated issue could distract from students' education and had even prompted one person to receive death threats for wanting the name changed.

"The naming of a school should not take precedence over someone's life," she said.

Some had suggested naming the school after the street it sits on, or honoring a graduate whose plane was shot down in 1991 over Iraq on the first night of Operation Desert Storm.

Forrest High School, which has received two consecutive "F" grades on state assessment tests, opened as an all-white school in the 1950s. Its name was suggested by the Daughters of the Confederacy, who saw it as a protest to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eventually integrated the nation's public schools.

But now more than half Forrest High's students are black.

The issue has come up several times during the past half-century, but the School Board has never changed the name. Jacksonville has three other schools named after Confederate generals, but it also has schools named after civil rights icons.

Born poor in Chapel Hill, Tenn., in 1821, Forrest amassed a fortune as a plantation owner and slave trader, importing Africans long after the practice had been made illegal. At 40, he enlisted as a private in the Confederate army at the outset of the Civil War, rising to a cavalry general in a year.

Some accounts accused Forrest of ordering black prisoners to be massacred after a victory at Tennessee's Fort Pillow in 1864, though historians question the validity of the claims.

In 1867, the newly formed Klan elected Forrest its honorary Grand Wizard or national leader, but he publicly denied being involved. In 1869, he ordered the Klan to disband because of the members' increasing violence. Two years later, a congressional investigation concluded his involvement had been limited to his attempt to disband it.

After his death in 1877, memorials to him sprung up throughout the South, particularly in Tennessee. A mounted statue of Forrest and the graves of the general and his wife are in a Memphis park bearing his name.

[cbs_oliver]

The heritage of the South is part of the heritage of the nation as a whole.

I understand the pride, but I do not understand the absence of shame.

I would change the name - not so much because of who Nathan Bedford Forrest was, but because of what he has become and has been chosen to represent.

Southerners who chose to use him as a symbol of their racial bigotry have disgraced his name and made it dirty.

We haven''t reached the point where that is not important.

[cbs_oliver]

I am disappointed that CBS has been pushing forward stories about race relations in the last few weeks before the election.

I think they are trying to cause trouble.

Shame on them.

[yongamerica]

What is in a name? The times have changed. The demographics have changed. Change the school''s name to something more suitable for the times. It is more than certain that a more current local celebrity name is worthy to rename the school after.

[macusweil]

"He was a good man... He was a military genius.
June Cooper, School alum"

Yes, we have similar southern style "genius" running our nation and the economy today"

[irmcvet97]

People in this nation need to start trying to understand things from OTHER citizens points of view. How would a Jewish Person feel if they named their school Hitler High School? Same thing here!

[gramto8]

It always amazes me that people want to honor someone as derranged and sick as NBF. It''''s like celebrating insanity or something -- makes no sense at all.

Posted by imprisonrove at 06:33 AM : Nov 04, 2008

If people would actually learn about the man, this whole thing would be moot. The Klan used his name for a short while to try to up their membership numbers. After the war, Forrest told them to disband. They, of course, didn''t, but them using his name doesn''t mean that he sold his soul to the devils.

[irmcvet97]

Posted by demsrwhiners at 06:51 AM : Nov 04, 2008

I''d say there was a MAJOR difference between George Washington and this slime dog Forrest!

[irmcvet97]

If people would actually learn about the man, this whole thing would be moot. The Klan used his name for a short while to try to up their membership numbers. After the war, Forrest told them to disband. They, of course, didn''''t, but them using his name doesn''''t mean that he sold his soul to the devils.

Posted by gramto8 at 07:08 AM : Nov 04, 2008

I don''t know what history book YOU are reading from but FORREST LEAD the Klan for many years and started the raids on blacks killing who knows how many. He is directly associated with and is fully responsible for the Klan. There is NO record anywhere that I can find, and I''ve studied history for a long time, where Forest made ANY PUBLIC Statement that the Klan should be dismantled or that he was just a figure head!

[gramto8]

Yeah, I know... I said ''after the war.'' In 1869, Forrest told them to disband.

[slim1h2o]

From the article;

Some accounts accused Forrest of ordering black prisoners to be massacred after a victory at Tennessee''s Fort Pillow in 1864, though historians question the validity of the claims.

In 1867, the newly formed Klan elected Forrest its honorary Grand Wizard or national leader, but he publicly denied being involved. In 1869, he ordered the Klan to disband because of the members'' increasing violence. Two years later, a congressional investigation concluded his involvement had been limited to his attempt to disband it".


If this true, they should leave his name on the building.

As times change, so do the histories of such men of dubious character change likewise.

But like it or not, he is part of our(this nations)history. And to not recognise that, would be to lie to future generations, and hence, to repeat that history.

[idnnsg]

demsrwhiners said, "African americans make up 80% of the prisoners in this country.... Is that somehow someone elses fault, I bet whitey forced you to commit the majority of crimes in the U.S."

Just consider for a moment, if you are capable, that when a crime is committed, "whitey" always goes looking for a black "suspect". The "fact" you state (80% of prisoners being black) does NOT mean that black people COMMITTED the crimes; it only means that they are being locked up for those crimes!

[slim1h2o]

Yes, we have similar southern style "genius" running our nation and the economy today"

Posted by macusweil at 06:20 AM : Nov 04, 2008

Some people need to get an education........

Bush isn''t from the south, h3ll, he ain''t even from Texas.....

[excoachken]

The Deep South is still Deep in Racism!

[connapa]

History is written by the winners. If the Confederacy had somehow won, we would be arguing about naming schools after Lincoln and Grant. Many of the Confederacy''s officers were West Point grads- R E Lee being the best known. They chose to stick up for their states (remember, it was a state''s rights issue.)technically, they all could have been tried for treason after the war. Should all of them be condemned for fighting for a racist cause?

[piercetheval]

...Run Forrest run!
...Life is like a box of choclates!

[feedback3-2009]

demsrwhiners said, "African americans make up 80% of the prisoners in this country.... Is that somehow someone elses fault, I bet whitey forced you to commit the majority of crimes in the U.S."

Just consider for a moment, if you are capable, that when a crime is committed, "whitey" always goes looking for a black "suspect". The "fact" you state (80% of prisoners being black) does NOT mean that black people COMMITTED the crimes; it only means that they are being locked up for those crimes!
-------------------
Not to mention that your statistic is pure bu!!***. The number of black prisoners in America is about 42%. The number of white prisoners is about 36%. Unfortunately the number of us who are prisoners to this kind of ignorance is the ever increasing statistic.

[longtree-2009]

never thought about it but guess the kkk is a terrorist organization. wonder if they are on the terrorist watch list too as well as identified members?

[gunnertwo1]

Forrest was a great general for the Confederacy and a historic figure. His name should stay. It''s part of history.

[swingset4u]

Don''t fly the flag. Change the name. Remove the statue.... WTFE!

[albo58]

Wow, I just wish these "activists" would put half as much energy into improving the F-grade of the school vs. the name change issue! When it comes to speaking out and getting folks onboard for positive change, the most obvious problems are often ignored.

[macusweil]

"Yes, we have similar southern style "genius" running our nation and the economy today"

Posted by macusweil at 06:20 AM : Nov 04, 2008

Some people need to get an education........

Bush isn''''t from the south, h3ll, he ain''''t even from Texas....."

Yes WE know!!.. the man''s a great pretender.. he''s a dern CT Yankee,, comment was meant to be a joke. Thanks for pointing this out though..shows fols are awake early!! lol

[petro49l]

The School Board should use Nathan Forrest''s name on a new white high school. The predominantly black high school should be renamed for a prominent African American. Equality is good policy.

[tiredofitnow]

The Deep South is still Deep in Racism!
Posted by excoachken
------------------------------------
Can we possibly stop putting racism all on the shoulders of the people in the South? I have heard more racists in the North than anywhere. The big difference being that in the North it is a more subtle thing. The racists there don''t proudly proclaim it as the racists here.
I grew up (in FL) with a racist mother (from NJ) who taught me her ways. Thank God I got away when I was 17 and learned better. I am teaching my children that you don''t judge a person by the color of his skin and that goes for EVERYONE! Until ALL races can see past the color, racism will continue.

[fedup_w_pols-2009]

So what did they want the name changed too? MLK perhaps? Yes lets just re-write history while we are still stuck in the past mentally, genius! Oh and FYI Black folks so upset over this travesty of a name on a school. A SITTING SENATOR was in the KKK, why have you not run him off? I mean really you want to remove the name of a guy that died in the 1800''s but your just fine with having a Klan member in the Senate under the Democratic label actively running the country. Which by the way the Dems were for slavery at the time of the civil war. This is such a joke, this is why whites are so tired of the re-naming everything racism BS. Oh and on another side note your Messiah Obama was and is friends with a LIVING TERRORIST no matter how you want to slice it or spin it he is a terrorist. Yet you are foaming at the mouth to seat Obama in power. He and Byrd should work well together lol. Hypocrisy is out of control.

[slim1h2o]

to be a joke. Thanks for pointing this out though..shows fols are awake early!! lol

Posted by macusweil at 08:05 AM : Nov 04, 2008

Sorry, I didn''t get your thinly vailed hatered for all things southern, was sarcasm.

BTW, what''s a fol?

LOL

[slim1h2o]

The School Board should use Nathan Forrest''''s name on a new white high school. The predominantly black high school should be renamed for a prominent African American. Equality is good policy.

Posted by Petro49L at 08:06 AM : Nov 04, 2008

I take it you want to go back to segregation?

[itgranny]

I guess if the guy was a hero i would be concerned about the disrespect of putting his name on a failing school.

[spinproof]

Symbols and Symbolism matters and this symbol sends the wrong message to any civilized society for any institution. We are still a civilized society are we not?

[macusweil]

"Sorry, I didn''''t get your thinly vailed hatered for all things southern, was sarcasm.
BTW, what''''s a fol?"

Whoa, ya''ll are way to sensitive.. btw: fol is how you spell "fool" or "folk" depending if you went to "intelgent d-sign skol" or not.

[tuffone31]

Let''s name it: ROBERT BYRD HIGH SCHOOL for the Democrats sake.

Better yet: Barak Hussein Obama High School for the liberal socialist Marxist'' sake.

THIS IS NEWS? FRONT PAGE NEWS?

Get a life.

[slim1h2o]

Whoa, ya''''ll are way to sensitive.. btw: fol is how you spell "fool" or "folk" depending if you went to "intelgent d-sign skol" or not.

My comment WAS a joke. Hence the "LOL" at the end, that you gratuitously left off.


But not as much as your mis-spellings.

[docpeter1953]

Symbols and Symbolism matters and this symbol sends the wrong message to any civilized society for any institution. We are still a civilized society are we not?

Posted by spinproof at 08:28 AM : Nov 04, 2008
__________________

I ask the same question many times a day. Then I look at the evening news(?) and decide the correct answer in NO!

Ad if you want proof, just go to the story on Obama''s g-mother''s death and read what some of the GOPers write there. You will realize just how much hate "uncivilized" people can spew.

[macusweil]

"Let''''s name it: ROBERT BYRD HIGH SCHOOL for the Democrats sake."

How about naming after a real hero Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman?

[docpeter1953]

Can we possibly stop putting racism all on the shoulders of the people in the South? I have heard more racists in the North than anywhere.

Posted by tiredofitnow at 08:09 AM : Nov 04, 2008

_________________

I have noticed this also. Back in the early 1970''s when we were forced to integrate our Southern schools the Northerners thought it was a great idea. Later in the 80''s when they were asked to integrate they protested. Seems the Yankees don''t mind telling the Good People of the South how to live as long as they don''t have to live by the same standards. One shoe doesn''t fit all in America.

[docpeter1953]

I guess if the guy was a hero i would be concerned about the disrespect of putting his name on a failing school.

Posted by itgrammy at 08:28 AM : Nov 04, 2008
________________

Don''t know about a ''hero'', but remember "Forest Gump"? That is where his name came from.

[mytoosense]

This is the guy Forrest Gump is named after. Didnt he create the KKK?

I think they should keep the school name as a reminder to young students that Adults are not always correct.

If you want to live somewhere where they erase unpleasant history, try Russia, China or Cambodia.

[mytoosense]

Was Nathan Bedford Forrest repentent?
-------------------------------------
Posted by rafterman1

Oh What? He died in 1877. The only civil rights act he witnessed was Lincoln signing the emancipation proclamation which he fought against as a confederate General, Sheesh......

This is interesting%u2026
%u2026a Congressional investigation began in 1871 to determine Forrest''s ties with the Klan, if any. The Committee was chaired by William Tecumseh Sherman. "The outcome of the 1871 investigation was twofold. The committee found no evidence that Forrest had participated in the formation of the Klan and that even the use of his name may well have been without his permission. They also found that there was no credible evidence that Forrest had ever participated in or directed any actions of the Klan."

WIKIPEDIA

[piercetheval]

...they could name it Quantrell High School or Capt. Anderson High School...both them fellers "Had a Thing'' about schools, if I remember correctly they burned one down in Lawrence, Kansas.

[chad55555]

It'' s American history,right or wrong(yet to be proven).This cry baby tactic to get everything without earning it is the worst racism and it dividing this country.I am looking for one day states start to wanting to be be their own country apart from America. THIS RACISM TOWARD WHITES MUST STOP BEFORE THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE NAME OF AMERICA TO AFRICO(AFRICA AND MEXICO). NOW THERE VOTING FOR SKIN COLOR FOR A PERSON THAT CAN''T PROVE WHERE HE FROM,WHAT SCHOOLL HE WENT TO AND LIES ABOUT HIS RELIGION,JUST AS THE MUSLIM RELIGION TEACHES YOU TO UNTIL YOU GET POWER TO DESTROY THE CHRISTIANS. WHAT ARE AMERICAN PEOPLE THINKING. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THIS IS PROOF DIVERSITY WILL DESTROY A NATION.

[nordeck52]

"He was a good man... He was a military genius."
June Cooper, School alum


A good man who broke the law by illegally importing slaves after it had been outlawed? How does illegally trading in slaves make him a good man?

[demonsmurf]

This school recieved two consecutive "F"s. So what''s the solution???? Start a cafuffle about the NAME. God help us!!!!

[nordeck52]

How about naming after a real hero Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman?

Posted by macusweil at 08:44 AM : Nov 04, 2008


Sherman was a war criminal, not a hero. Although most peoples'' opinions on this will be dependent on where they''re from.

[demonsmurf]

My ancestors were enslaved by the Vikings AND the British... You don''t see the populaton of Ireland whining for reparations for Scandinavia or Britain. They just GET OVER IT.
For god''s sake it was nearly 135 years ago.. LET IT GO!!!

[concorde5]

demonsmurf Posted "My ancestors were enslaved by the Vikings AND the British... You don''''t see the populaton of Ireland whining for reparations for Scandinavia or Britain. They just GET OVER IT.
For god''''s sake it was nearly 135 years ago.. LET IT GO!!! "

-------------------
The reason that a lot of Blacks haven''t "got over it" or "Let it go" is because whites haven''t got over it or let it go.

Blacks didn''t stop being discriminated against simply because slavery was outlawed. Blacks were still segregated, denied jobs, education, housing, etc.

It wasn''t until the civil rights legislation of the late 60''s that blacks became truely equal under the law. And even after that Blacks have never been treated fairly. Granted a lot of progress has been made.

My point is this, when whites "Get over it" Blacks will do the same.

[nobama4]

In 1869, he ordered the Klan to disband because of the members'' increasing violence. Two years later, a congressional investigation concluded his involvement had been limited to his attempt to disband it.



So wait a minute, shouldnt he be considered a hero to Blacks? He did more to eliminate the KKK than the assinine NAACP or that h o m o Morris Dees?

Notice the school scored 2 consecutive F''s and is made of of 50% African American, the main detractors to its namesake are African American, my guess is they can not read, have no knowledge of history, which is why the school is doing so poorly.

[willcaine]

You might as well name a school after Hitler as after Forrest.

[rudy654-2009]

I wonder if some Germans name a school after Germany after some 135 years, if someone will be telling the Jews, "Get over it"?

[rudy654-2009]

Correction:

I wonder if some Germans name a school after Hitler after some 135 years, if someone will be telling the Jews, "Get over it"?

[makemyday2da]

nObama4 - you''re disgusting and as racist as they come! No doubt a KKK supporter!

[darrren12000]

Re-name it after Thomas Jefferson or George Washington - so it would be named after slave-owning US presidents instead of just a lowly klansman!

Angry black man (who thinks Obama won''t do much)!