Memphis is known for a lot of things. Barbeque. Country music. And an affinity to hold on to the deeply racist past of the Civil War.
Some people in Memphis have petitioned to get the names of parks changed. 100 year old parks with names like Confederate Park have been voted to be changed to Memphis Park. Jefferson Davis Park to Mississippi Park. And Nathan Bedford Forrest park (a Confederate fighter) to Health Sciences Park.
The KKK is highly against this. So much so that they have obtained a permit to rally against the naming of the parks. They’ve called for members across the country to come out and speak out against this…injustice???
Sons of Confederate Veterans spokesman Lee Millar opposes the rally by the KKK. Not because he disagrees with the Klan, but mostly cause nobody wants the KKK to rally anywhere.
I’m not sure if we should go around changing history like things never existed. There’s a fine line between moving into changing times and turning a blind eye on where you came from. I’m not saying I don’t avoid any neighborhood named Plantation Anything (cause I do), but I know these things existed in the not so distant past of America. Sure Confederate Park isn’t as bad as Hang An N-Word Field but who the hell is going to play in Health Sciences Park? Who’s going to read Huck Finn with Slave Jim in it? Is ignoring something the best way to get over it?
The director for the Memphis police has said they will “prepare for the worst and pray for the best” because well, that’s just good police work.
Kath
02/20/2013
While it would be nice if all the history related to those historical references never existed, it did. I’m not sure erasing them from the present doesn’t in some way disrespect the past and the truth of what really happened. It was an ugly time in our history but it happened. Sometimes we should be reminded of it so we never make those mistakes again.
Andrea
02/20/2013
Nathan Bedford Forrest just makes me think of Forrest Gump and so I read your whole article in a Gump accent. was very amusing.
I do not understand racism and the need to hang onto it. I’ll buy that we can’t and shouldn’t pretend slavery, etc., didn’t happen, but read a Toni Morrison novel, for crap sake, instead of glorifying it a la Gone with the Wind. there’s a difference there that these folks don’t seem to grasp.
Kimberly T
02/20/2013
I understand that it is history and it happened, but until the Jews build Adolf Hitler park in the middle of Israel, I’m saying, that just ain’t kosher. [all puns intended].
Damon
02/21/2013
I agree with you 100% – Sometimes, it is the reminders of our past that help prevent us from making the same horrible mistakes.
Handflapper
02/26/2013
Nathan Beford Forrest wasn’t just a Confederate fighter. He was the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. That’s probably what’s got their sheets all in a knot.