A major historic event took place last night in my adopted hometown of Memphis, TN. After a unanimous City Council vote, monuments dedicated to Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis were removed and relocated to an undisclosed location. A step in the right direction, to say the least. Forrest was a Confederate Army general during the Civil War and an early leader (first Grand Wizard) of the Ku Klux Klan. Davis was the President of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. The presence of their statues cast a dark cloud over the parks where they were displayed, and throughout the city. Their absence is a much appreciated breath of fresh air. This is especially relevant when taking into consideration the upcoming 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, who was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Needless to say, last night marked an important moral victory for Memphis and for America. I’m looking forward to more in the near future.

Nathan Bedford Forrest statue being removed from Health Sciences Park last night in Memphis, TN.