Forrest Park (Memphis, Jackson: how much, moving, cities)

[redwine]

Do you guys think that the name of Forrest Park should change? Should the City dig up the bodies of Bedford Forrest and his wife and bury them somewhere else? How come a place like Memphis with such a large percentage of black people has not acted on this before?

P.S
I am new to this city so if there is something I don't know, please tell me.

[JoeCartpath]

It's been discussed recently, but there didn't seem to be that much interest in doing it. The majority of locals of every race seem to think it's a non issue.

My opinion? I hate to see history bulldozed. Too much of that has already happened in Memphis.

[redwine]

Originally Posted by JoeCartpath

It's been discussed recently, but there didn't seem to be that much interest in doing it. The majority of locals of every race seem to think it's a non issue.

My opinion? I hate to see history bulldozed. Too much of that has already happened in Memphis.

Thats a good attitude. I like that. Thanks

[JoeCartpath]

I just think that history should be preserved for future generations. It doesn't matter if it's not history we're proud of - leave it as a reminder to future generations of how things used to be - and how much our world has changed. Besides, where would you stop. Rename streets? Rename cities?

[strumpeace]

IMO, the corpses of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest should be moved. Historically, there is no significance between Mr. Forrest and the spot where he is buried. In fact, he was not originally buried there. IIRC, he was originally buried in Elmwood Cemetery. That's where the rest of his family is buried, and that's where he and the Missus should be returned.

And yes, streets are renamed all the time. A few cities have been, too (New York being the biggest example; Jackson TN being perhaps the closest).

[expatnortherner]

Speaking as a person of color, it's history, you can't change it. Better to leave it as a lesson in a darker part of the nations history than to erase it and act like it never happened.

I did challenge a co-worker to put an afro wig on the statue once, maybe I'll do it myself one day.

Ex-Pat

[redwine]

Originally Posted by expatnortherner

Speaking as a person of color, it's history, you can't change it. Better to leave it as a lesson in a darker part of the nations history than to erase it and act like it never happened.

I did challenge a co-worker to put an afro wig on the statue once, maybe I'll do it myself one day.

Ex-Pat

That would be awesome. Please do. I will take a picture and post it right here.
Thanks for having some humor about it.

[JoeCartpath]

I would feel differently if the purpose of the park and statue were to celebrate his KKK involvement. That would be blatantly offensive. It's there because of his status as an important Civil War general. To remove the statue and rename the park because of whatever involvement he had with the KKK in his later years would be a shame. Other countries leaders have destroyed historic landmarks in an attempt to edit history. I'd rather not see that happen here.

[strumpeace]

But again, if we want to speak from a 'history perspective', we need to understand the facts: Mr. Forrest was NOT originally buried where he is currently buried. His remains and those of his wife were moved there nearly 30 years after his death.

If we really, REALLY want to honor history, we would return his remains to Elmwood, where he wanted to be buried. His family plot is there. He was there. His wife was there.

No one has suggested 'changing history'. Nope. The only people who have changed history are the ones who moved Mr. Forrest's corpse to its current location.

[JoeCartpath]

I have no problem at all with moving the remains back to Elmwood. I didn't even know they were in the park until a few years ago! It's just the idea of renaming the park, removing the statue, etc., that I think would be a mistake.