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Tennessee businesses, including FedEx, flexing their collective corporate muscle for societal changes

FedEx, Volkswagen, Cracker Barrel, and Nissan among dozens of companies urging Gov. Lee to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest in Tennessee’s capitol

MEMPHIS, Tennessee —

In Tuesday's Ransom Note: the power of green.

Groups can protest all day about removing a team's Native American name or the bust of a Confederate general in the state capitol. They can spend years explaining why the mascot or bust is offensive and nothing happens.

In fact, the owner of the Washington Redskins said he'd never change the team's name, until he did, mostly due to corporate America and pressure from companies like FedEx, Nike, and Amazon.

Today, 34 prominent Tennessee businesses did the same in a letter to Governor Bill Lee, commending him for his efforts to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest.

FedEx, Volkswagen, Bridgestone, Cracker Barrel, and Nissan are a few. No company should want to be seen as being behind an issue where public sentiment is so obviously turning. It's good to see FedEx among the companies which understand that.

Join the conversation by email (rransom@localmemphis.com), Facebook, or Twitter.

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