Rich, Complex, and sometimes Painful

The post headline comes from a Tweet by Tennessee governor Bill Lee regarding the recent controversy surrounding the observance of Nathan Bedford Forrest Day. Forrest was born July 13, 1821 in Bedford County, Tennessee. His subsequent history as a slave trader, Confederate general in the Civil War, and Ku Klux Klan wizard has prompted a sudden outcry for a partial repeal of Tennessee Code Annotated section 15-2-101. This statute requires the governor to proclaim six "special observance days" each year:

January 19 Robert E. Lee Day

February 12 Abraham Lincoln Day

March 15 Andrew Jackson Day

June 3 Memorial Day or Confederate Decoration Day

July 13 Nathan Bedford Forrest Day

November 11 Veterans' Day

Per the statute, "The governor shall invite the people of this state to observe the days in schools, churches, and other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies expressive of the public sentiment befitting the anniversary of such dates."

Some ceremony this year for General Forrest, who is said to have renounced racism in a speech in the last few years of his life. Actually, no ceremony. Just a lot of grandstanding and well intended but poorly timed controversy.

In my 46 years of life, I have never seen and have never heard of any sort of ceremony or event marking General Forrest's birthday. I do remember that former governor Haslam faced similar albeit less resonant criticism during one such year that he issued this same proclamation.

But there are several points of note here:

1. This law has been in effect in some form since 1931. The Tennessean reports that our state began observing General Forrest's birthday in about 1921.

2. The Governor of Tennessee does not have the authority to unilaterally amend laws.

3. The General Assembly, which shares lawmaking authority with the Governor, is in session each year from January until April or May.

So sticking this in the face of the current governor (or any recent governor, for that matter) is silly. I am not going to compile a list of Tennessee governors who have served since the 1920s. Bill Lee is the eighth governor to have served in my lifetime. Three of those men are Democrats, and the other five are Republicans.

The point is that neither party has taken the time to carefully consider this statute or to amend it. Regardless of how you feel about it, you would have to admit that our leaders have a lot more important things to worry about. The annual budget - taxes and spending priorities. Schools. Children. Prisons. Criminal justice. And this is just a start.

In the first six months of his time in office, Governor Lee has shown that he will be a leader of class. I don't agree with all of his positions on issues in our state. But I do believe that he is passionate about his work and that he is a good man who saw a lot of success in business before running for office. It is a blessing to have a leader such as this.

Instead of stubbornly standing by the Forrest day, our governor graciously Tweeted out his thoughts and stated that he would consider beginning the process of repealing the day of observance.

The book of Ephesians contains the following verse: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ" (Chapter 6, verse 5). Do I think that this verse means that the Bible endorses slavery? Of course not. God created all persons and all races. The Bible and its message of salvation and redemption are for all. Humans are not property, and the institution of slavery was based on evil prejudice.

But when I watch the Ole Miss football team or visit the Dukes of Hazzard Museum, I don't think of racism, either. Same thing for any statue or monument. I have never been a person of prejudice and feel strongly that we should respect and love all people, whether they are like us or not. Race, color, creed, economic status, faith ... You get the picture.

Should this law be changed? I don't see the need for keeping some sort of special day of observance around that we really don't observe anyway. On January 19 each year, I am focused on Martin Luther King Jr.  The federal holiday honoring Dr. King always falls around this time. Robert E. Lee does not cross my mind. Nathan Bedford Forrest never would have crossed my mind recently had it not been for the controversy about the legally required proclamation.

So, one way or another, let your voice be heard on these matters. But don't just blurt out how you feel on the day of observance for the purpose of grandstanding when you didn't do anything about it on any other day.

"Our state's history is rich, complex and in some cases painful." This is well said by Governor Lee. And I am proud to live in this state.

James A. Rose
Publisher