Hollywood activist wants street named for KKK leader changed

SunSentinel ^ | 30 August 2002 | Noaki Schwartz

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HOLLYWOOD -- For decades Forrest Street cut through Hollywood seemingly unnoticed, separating the north from the south, carving an insidious path through the heart of the city’s black community.

Only a few seemed to know about the road’s namesake, thinking it to be Confederate general and the first Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. But as more residents of the city’s mostly black Liberia neighborhood learn about him, the street name is evoking painful images of hooded men and burning crosses.

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Article Excerpt - Check source for entire article.

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General Forrest Bump!

FreepMail to get on/off Dixie list

[Dog Gone]

But they wouldn't have any problem with the street if it were named after Malcolm X, I'll bet.

[PoorMuttly]

So rename it after Forrest Tucker. Then everyone's happy, and we each get our own interpretation.

He did great work with his 1894 Winchester against The Crawling Eye.

Well...have you seen one around lately?

[Maedhros]

Apparently Forrest didn't actually found the KKK.

Originally posted by vetvetdoug on 10 greatest military commanders of all time earlier today:

Forrest did not form the KKK as the liberals and misinformed state, but used the organization to protect the disenfranchised former Confederates until they were allowed to vote again. Forrest ordered the KKK disbanded in 1868 and the KKK as we know it today is an ugly mutation.

So there.

[PoorMuttly]

Re: Post 3...

no, but the surrounding neighborhood should!

[Dog Gone]

It was actually named after this guy.

[PoorMuttly]

All RIGHT!!!

[Moonmad27]

Where do you start with this article?! Forrest INVENTED racism? Before his day, everyone lived in a perfect world where no one looked down on any other group? I also like the line about people alerting them about the DANGER of having a street named after Forrest. What's dangerous about a street name? Even if it did really matter (and obviously hasn't, for years), they forgot the old adage -- sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. It's hard to argue with folks who don't know history, but who only know propaganda.

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It gets better! Check out these two gems buried in the article:

• Arthur Tisdale, 54, said he recognized the name from his days planting cotton for a Klansman farmer in South Carolina, where the Confederate general is famous for building his fortune off slave trading.
  
  
• Though Sacharow, 47, doesn’t live in Liberia, he alerted the city manager and on Wednesday submitted an application to have the name changed.
  

[SAJ]

Perfectly accurate, and thks for posting the facts.

But, do you really imagine that this irrational cretin even CARES? By his argument, Forrest having abolished the KKK would imply that he had also abolished racism, and presumably therefore should be a hee-ro to Leon.

Too esoteric a concept for this cerebrally-challenged 25-year old? Probably. Here's a tip, Leon. Every time an idiot like you opens your yap, you perpetuate racism, because you confirm with your own words what racists claim about you. Talk about self-defeating.

“In my eyes, if Forrest founded the KKK, he founded racism,” said resident Leon Jones...

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On 4 Jul 1875, after accepting an invitation to speak with them, Forrest spoke favorably to the "Jubilee of Pole Bearers", a political/social organization comprised of Black Southerners. His speech was reported in the papers, and reprinted in Black Southerners in Gray, (Richard Rollins ed.):

Miss Lewis, ladies and gentlemen - I accept these flowers as a token of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the South. I accept them more particularly, since they come from a lady, for if there is any one on God's great earth who loves the ladies, it is myself. This is a proud day for me. Having occupied the position I have for thirteen years, and being misunderstood by the colored race, I take this occasion to say that I am your friend. I am here as the representative of the Southern people - one that has been more maligned than any other. I assure you that every man who was in the Confederate army is your friend. We were born on same soil, breathe the same air, live in the same land, and why should we not be brothers and sisters.
When the war broke out I believed it to be my duty to fight for my country, and I did so.

I came here with the jeers and sneers of a few white people, who did not think it right. I think it is right, and will do all I can to bring about harmony, peace and unity. I want to elevate every man, and to see you take your places in your shops, stores and but I want you to do as I do - go to the polls and select the best men to vote for. I feel that you are free men, I am a free man, and we can do as we please. I came here as a friend and whenever I can serve any of you I will do so. I came here as a friend and whenever I can serve any of you I will do so.

We have one Union, one flag, one country; therefore, let us stand together. Although we differ in color, we should not differ in sentiment. Many things have been said in regard to myself, and many reports circulated, which may perhaps be believed by some of you, but there are many around me who can contradict them. I have been many times in the heat of battle - oftener, perhaps, than any within the sound of my voice. Men have come to me to ask for quarter, both black and white, and I have shielded them. Do your duty as citizens, and if any are oppressed, I will be your friend. I thank you for the flowers, and assure you that I am with you in heart and hand.

[PoorMuttly]

Somebody please get this speech to these people. They know not what they do.

[Balding_Eagle]

Well, this street may evoke images of burning crosses to the residents, and since they have to live there, I'd let them change the name.

Just don't name it Marin Luther King Boulevard. Everybody knows that streets with that name CURRENTLY are filled with real life images of dopers, pushers, and 'hoes.

Methinks changing a street name is the least of their worries. Man what a sad group of people. And to think they continue to vote for the Dems who hate them with such a passion.

[big bad easter bunny]

Senator Byrd has a street named after him?

[billbears]

And it needs to be told every chance we can. Along with dispelling the lie of Fort Pillow. This excerpt from a speech given in 1875 to the Jubilee of Pole Bearers show his sentiments moreso. Note that the folks he was speaking to at the time were black.

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.

Of course it's curious to know who these black people were that stood by Forrest during the war isn't it? Considering he fought for the Confederacy and we all know the war was over slavery</ sarcasm>

I've got a better idea for the beautification and moral fiber of this nation. Instead of changing street signs why don't these good folks out there on the Left Coast take a little lesson in historical fact and NAALCP myth

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Hollywood City Commissioners

Mayor Mara Giulianti Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: 1986 Re-elected: 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, & 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: mgiulianti@hollywoodfl.org
Commissioner Cathleen Anderson District 1 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First appointed: 1975, elected 1976 Re-elected: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, & 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: canderson@hollywoodfl.org	Commissioner Beam Furr District 2 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: bfurr@hollywoodfl.org
Commissioner Sal Oliveri District 3 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: Mayor in 1990 - 1992 Elected commissioner 1998, & 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: soliveri@hollywoodfl.org	Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom District 4 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: kwasserstrom@hollywoodfl.org
Commissioner Frances Russo District 5 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: frusso@hollywoodfl.org	Vice Mayor Peter Bober District 6 Current Term: 2000 - 2004 First elected: 2000 Telephone: (954) 921-3321 Fax: (954) 921-3386 Email: pbober@hollywoodfl.org

 

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More Hollywood Contacts

City Manager Cameron Benson (954) 921-3201
Interim Assistant City Manager Richard Lemack (954) 921-3201
City Attorney Daniel Abbott (954) 921-3435
City Clerk Patricia A. Cerny (954) 921-3211

[PoorMuttly]

Any locals available to distribute copies of the speech, if and when this thing gets out of hand? Best to wait and see, of course...but Be Prepared.