MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s been months since we’ve heard anything about plans to move the remains of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the park that once bore his name. Now, the park in back in the news – because it will be the setting for this year’s Memphis Juneteenth celebration commemorating an end to slavery.
No doubt some will view the decision as being in bad taste. I received an email over the weekend complaining that since Forrest and his wife are still buried there, the Juneteenth festivities would be akin to dancing on Forrest’s grave.
Personally, I think holding the event at what is now Health Sciences Park is a great idea, so long as the Forrest remains are exhumed as planned and moved to their new resting place in Columbia, Tennessee. A date to move the remains still has not been set, but one is expected soon – before the festival June 18th and 19th.
I believe holding the Juneteenth celebration in the park once named for the confederate general and slave trader sends a symbolic message that the park no longer represents oppression and white supremacy.
Since 2017 when the Forrest statue was taken down, the park’s owner, Memphis Greenspace, has reached an agreement with the Sons of Confederate Veterans to take the statue – and reinter the remains in a museum in Columbia. So let’s get that job done then get ready for the festival. And that’s my point of view.