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.

There is a movement to change the name of Nathan Befored Forrest High School in Jacksonville, Florida, by people who seek to re-write history, based on reverse racism.  Racism is wrong no matter who does it. Nathan B Forrest was a Confederate General who was accused of war crimes against Union soldiers and blacks, but an investigation exonerated him of that charge. He had blacks under his command. He had many blacks attend his funeral. Yes, he was the first Grand Wizard of the KKK, but the KKK was ORIGINALLY formed to promote chivalry and fight against carpet baggers in the Reconstruction, and when racist acts started being done, he left the KKK and distanced himself from them.

Research his speeches using "was Nathan Forrest a racist" as your keyword, and READ HIS SPEECHES. He called for eqality, saying we are all under one flag, and basically we should all put the evils of war and former thinking behind us and move forward together as people all under ONE FLAG!

In contrast, Jacksonville is named after Andrew Jackson, a murderer, bigot, and racist. Even Abraham Lincoln made racist speeches where he wanted to send former slaves back to Africa and saw them as inferior to whites. No one ever says anything, especially blacks, against modern day black racists. Why not? It is not a crime to be white, nor was it for Forrest to speak in favor of racial equity even though his fellow whites jeered and ridiculed him for it.

The truth is that he was ahead of his time, especially for the South, that he was a man of honor, who employed techniques of war that may have been at times brutal, but all war is brutal. Look at the modern racism against Arabs, at what Americans did in Iraq? Abu Ghraib is a blight on this nation. How many war crimes did American perform in Vietnam? We drive cars from Japan, but who remebers Pearl Harbor or the Bataan Death March? How many Mitsubishi cars are driven by people who had Zeros crash into ships and kill their grandfathers?    

This name change effort is nothing more than a witch hunt designed to re-write history and diminish the honor or a Southern General who was a man of honor. 

This statement comes from a man who worked for the Alvin Brown campaign electing a black mayor to Jacksonville, who is from the North, and who is NOT a racist. I have suffered ridicule by whites for friendship with blacks and working to elect black candidates in the South, and been called "cracker" when I am the furthest thing from that. If Jacksonville has no issue with being named after Andrew Jackson, and if we have no issue with the image of Lincoln and Jackson on our currency, then what is the issue with the name of a school of a man who was honorable and spoke of equality?

We, therefore, hereby petition the Duval County School Board to retain the name Nathan B. Forrest High School. In the words of Nathan Bedford Forrest:

Forrest's speech to the Independent Order of Pole-Bearers Association July 5, 1875.

"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."

Please email or call the Duval County School Board and ask them to retain the name......