Nathan Beford Forrest High: Time For a Name Change

[Cheshire Cat]

This is such a waste of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the School Board is flush with cash and goodwill. When was the last time you actually saw the KKK in the paper?

Do any public schools in Jacksonville still have the Indians as their mascot or name of their teams? Is replacing them going to be next? Is Terry Parker still called the Braves?

Anyone that thinks that the KKK is gone is either ignorant or a liar..there lots of families where the values and beliefs are being taught to children..ive heard other scoff at the idea on here and you guys are just ignorant to the truth..

they are not gone, but they are a weak, weak organization on the fringes of society.  As for racism and homophobia being taught to children, that will probably go on forever at a declining rate whether or not there is a KKK or not.

They are not just on the fringes of society.  They have dug in many communities where Native American families are living and are now trying to dispense their racist ideas in their well known hateful manner.  Just because there isn't news coverage on all instances, does not mean they are not still driving their agenda and the sad news is they are inflaming non KKK White Supremacy groups to gain ground in the endeavors.  Sick SOB's.

[theduvalprogressive]

If the Daughters of the Confederacy can waste taxpayer dollars changing the name of Valhalla High School to Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, we as a city can spend a little money to change it back. A person who owns a sign shop in Riverside offered a couple of weeks ago to change the signage free of charge if the School Board will change the name. CNBC is offering to join in on helping the efforts of progressive groups in the city to get this wrong corrected.

[sheclown]

This is such a waste of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the School Board is flush with cash and goodwill. When was the last time you actually saw the KKK in the paper?

Do any public schools in Jacksonville still have the Indians as their mascot or name of their teams? Is replacing them going to be next? Is Terry Parker still called the Braves?

Of the many arguments out there regarding the name change, waste of dollars isn't one that will make a difference nor should it.  The costs of the name change would be negligible in a world of real waste.  It is time to remove this thorn from the side of Jacksonville.  It's something that can be done and the reality is now with the KKK opening up their racists mouth's in support of the name, we really have to do something.  The KKK was and is a blight on the face of this country.  Nuff said.

well said

[sheclown]

If the Daughters of the Confederacy can waste taxpayer dollars changing the name of Valhalla High School to Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, we as a city can spend a little money to change it back. A person who owns a sign shop in Riverside offered a couple of weeks ago to change the signage free of charge if the School Board will change the name. CNBC is offering to join in on helping the efforts of progressive groups in the city to get this wrong corrected.

Indeed

[thelakelander]

This is such a waste of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the School Board is flush with cash and goodwill. When was the last time you actually saw the KKK in the paper?

Do any public schools in Jacksonville still have the Indians as their mascot or name of their teams? Is replacing them going to be next? Is Terry Parker still called the Braves?

Of the many arguments out there regarding the name change, waste of dollars isn't one that will make a difference nor should it.  The costs of the name change would be negligible in a world of real waste.

After agreeing to spend over +$40 million for a new scoreboard and pools at Everbank Field, we can take the money equation right out of this name change discussion.  As shown with the Jags, time and time again, if it's a priority, we get pretty innovative in securing the funding to get things done in a timely manner.

[Cheshire Cat]

This is such a waste of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the School Board is flush with cash and goodwill. When was the last time you actually saw the KKK in the paper?

Do any public schools in Jacksonville still have the Indians as their mascot or name of their teams? Is replacing them going to be next? Is Terry Parker still called the Braves?

Of the many arguments out there regarding the name change, waste of dollars isn't one that will make a difference nor should it.  The costs of the name change would be negligible in a world of real waste.

After agreeing to spend over +$40 million for a new scoreboard and pools at Everbank Field, we can take the money equation right out of this name change discussion.  As shown with the Jags, time and time again, if it's a priority, we get pretty innovative in securing the funding to get things done in a timely manner.

Agreed!

[Cheshire Cat]

I am hearing from folks who were at the town hall meeting tonight to discuss the issue of the name change.  There were folks present on both sides of the issue.  The good news is that everyone behaved respectfully in what was described as a tense atmosphere.  I was so happy to hear that. 

[sheclown]

use the scroll bar 9slide bar?) at the bottom to read the entire letter:

[sheclown]

[Cheshire Cat]

^Barf!  That is all.

[carpnter]

ridiculous points.

There is no reason to honor the intentionally provocative naming of a school in the 1960s.  We change the names of things all the time.  Consider the Independent Life/Modis/Wells Fargo tower.

Are you worried that we will 'go to far' with the single name change of a school after 40 years?

Talk to the Gator Bowl/ Municipal Stadium/ Alltell Stadium /Everbank Field.

The changing of the Life/Modis/Wells Fargo tower is business related it's not the same." Talk to the Gator Bowl/ Municipal Stadium/ Alltell Stadium /Everbank Field." These name changes are also business related. Sorry Stephendare not the same. 

because?

IILY is correct (for once), but I think the name of the school should be changed if for no other reason than to piss off the KKK since they decided to insert themselves in the discussion. 

Isn't the Wells Fargo Building is actually called Independent Square?  According to this http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-feb-unique-jacksonville-independent-square that is the name of the building.

[carpnter]

Independent Square is actually the name of the address.  Naming conventions change, but addresses don't.  Just as in the name of the School.

The address is 1 Independent Drive

[Starbuck]

I am very pleased to see that the letter came from an "Imperial Kaltrop" and not merely your ordinary everyday sort of Kaltrop. I wonder if he has a special flower design on his bed sheet?

[civil42806]

I think all agree just change the name.  Whether some obscure small Klan issues a mail is silly.  Will the name change affect the students (well no it wont).  Will it improve their test scores (no it won't), will it possibly improve their future (no it won't).  Will it make us all feel better about ourselves (oh yes indeed)!  And after all isn't that the real point

[Cliffs_Daughter]

And Istanbul was Constantinople...       Whether it's a building, a park, a city, or even a country, names change all the time for a myriad of reasons.

But because of the controversy it's become complicated, is that right? Can't very well use the argument of "he wasn't even a Jax native" because Ed White wasn't.

It should be less about wanting to rid ourselves of the name Forrest, and more about honoring someone else who's time is due. If more people are in favor of the change than against it, then it shouldn't be such a problem anymore. There's no real excuse.