Hitler High School

Today in Civil Rights and Liberties class, we began examining the issue of hate speech and the case of RAV v. St. Paul (1992). Since this case begins with teenagers placing a crudely fashioned burning cross on the lawn of an African-American families lawn, we spend a little time exploring the history of that particular image. That led us into a discussion of the history of the KKK and its founder, Nathan Bedford Forrest. The former Confederate general is infamous in most circles for his involvement in the Fort Pillow Massacre and establishment of the KKK, but is still revered in some (mostly southern) communities.

In 2008, a controversy erupted in Jacksonville, Florida, when the Duvall County School Board was petitioned by local residents to change the name of Nathan B. Forrest High School. The school was built in 1955, and its name adopted at the behest of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Given the timing, it was clearly adopted as a statement of defiance to federal mandates to integrate public schools. Keep in mind, this was around the same time when states such as Georgia and South Carolina began flying the Confederate Flag over their state capitols.

This short documentary details the fight over the name change, and the (perhaps not surprising) decision of the school board. But it also reveals that today's students have a very different perspective on race and history than the adults in their community.


In case you thought this issue was over, check out this story on Mississippi's "Nathan Bedford Forrest" license plates.