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How does that make him different, and yes, that 90% number included the northern population.
Most people didn't found organizations responsible for murdering and intimidating black people. I lived in a city named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the various attempts I've heard, in person, to rescue him from white supremacy are laughable at best. Honor him if you want, but recognize exactly what you're honoring.
Most people didn't found organizations responsible for murdering and intimidating black people. I lived in a city named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the various attempts I've heard, in person, to rescue him from white supremacy are laughable at best. Honor him if you want, but recognize exactly what you're honoring.
Forrest didn't represent anything that many of the founding fathers did as well.
"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.1
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."
That is NOT a valid excuse to commerate him in any way shape form or fashion.
Read the speech I posted earlier, the man wasn't against black people, he was against yankees telling southern states what to do. As were many people who were for or against the war, after it ended.
Even Lincoln wanted to allow the southern states back in with no conditions. That idiot Booth hurt the south by assassinating him.
Look, I don't like slavery, I hate it. I despise the Klan in its current form.
I'm also a student of History, and Forrest was used as a figure head for something he didn't support, and disagreed with personally. He simply opposed the carpet bagging that was going on, and he felt that lending his name to the Klan would help to end that.
Again, read the speech, tell me where that is racist, please.
And by the same token, many of the founding fathers were just as racist, owned slaves, and we celebrate them. I don't see the difference. And no, I wouldn't get a Forrest license plate, but I wouldn't look down on anyone else for doing it either.
Good to see those ignorant of history keep posting....
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