- Video Gallery As we approach the 150th anniversary of the
Civil War, the Sons of Confederate Veterans are pressuring
Mississippi lawmakers to put Confederate General Nathan Bedford
Forrest on state license plates. Forrest was one of the
Confederacy's most famous generals, and also one of the most
violent—having served as commanding officer at the "Fort Pillow
Massacre," where more than 300 black Union troops were killed.
Following the war, he went on to become the first Grand Wizard
of the Ku Klux Klan. The thought that Forrest could receive this
kind of honor should be appalling to all Southerners, regardless
of color. Forrest was a man who dedicated his life to
segregation and hate, and the aftermath of his actions still
cause issues today. I'm all for acknowledging every aspect of
nation's history—good and bad—but just because someone was well
known doesn't mean they should be glorified. I'm Vanessa Oubre
and that's my take. What's yours? If you'd like to respond to
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