The Rutherford County Democratic Party is calling for removal of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s name from MTSU’s ROTC hall and movement of Forrest plaques at the Rutherford County Courthouse to a museum.
“When a historic person is coopted as a figure and symbol of hate, bigotry and terror, then the state and county should cease to hold such a person in a place of honor,” the party said in a statement. “For years, Nathan Bedford Forrest has been revered for his role as the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan by white supremacy groups. Middle Tennessee State University and the Rutherford County Courthouse must inspire the best of our humanity and promote the dignity of all citizens.”
With MTSU opening debate on renaming Forrest Hall, the party contends the ROTC hall should honor an MTSU alumnus rather than a “divisive symbol of hate.” It suggests the university consider its own Roll of Honor with the MTSU Veterans Memorial Project and points out the MTSU community has two people killed in action who received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Charles G. Tucker and Gerald W. Davidson.
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