Why have monuments and places named for Nathan Bedford Forrest caused public debate?

Monuments and places named for Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest have become subjects of intense public debate due to his controversial actions and associations during and after the American Civil War.1

The primary reasons for this controversy include:

• The Fort Pillow Massacre: Forrest’s command was responsible for the 1864 slaughter of African American Union troops at Fort Pillow, many of whom were killed while attempting to surrender.12
• Ku Klux Klan Leadership: Following the war, Forrest served as the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization that utilized terror and violence against Black people and Republicans.1

While some white Southerners have historically admired Forrest for his military record and background, these actions have led many, particularly African Americans, to view him as a symbol of hate. Consequently, there has been a widespread movement to rename schools, streets, and buildings honoring him, and to remove Confederate monuments, such as the equestrian statue in a Memphis park that was taken down in 2017.13