Memphis has long been a city with many race-related controversies and a debate over the names of some parks has become heated recently.
There is a proposal to change the names of three city parks with names associated with the Confederacy.
Forrest Park, Jefferson Davis Park and Confederate Park, each located downtown, have sparked controversy with County Commission member Walter Bailey.
With local parks honoring a controversial general and founder of the Ku Klux Klan as well as the president of the Confederate States of America, people have taken notice, including University of Memphis students.
"I think everyone has a good side and a bad side," said a female U of M student who asked not to be identified. "As a black person, I should probably be offended, but I think people have the choice to either go to those parks or not."
Another student, who asked to have his name withheld, echoed this idea. He said everyone has different ways of being remembered, but in this case the bad memories far outweigh the good and there is no way to change that.
One student, however, firmly believes the names should be changed.
"(The names) should be changed because I don't think a lot of Memphians realize all the bad that happened," said Lauren Williams, a freshman student at Tennessee State University visiting The U of M. "All of (the controversy) was long ago but many of the principles still remain."
Another perspective come from far away from Memphis maintains historical names should not be changed.
Troy Collins from Barrie, Ontario said he is a firm believer in leaving the things the way they are.
"There are far too many worse problems in the world than people being offended by names of parks," he said.
Collins recalled his rival high school being forced to change their team name by Canadian politicians because it included the word "Redskins."
According to the Tennessee Historical Commission web site, Forrest Park is in honor of someone Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman once called a "remarkable man." It also states the park serves as the burial ground for Nathan Bedford Forrest himself, along with his wife, Mary Montgomery Forrest.
Jefferson Davis Park is located on the Mississippi River bluffs and overlooks Riverside Drive. Confederate Park is located nearby.
