Honorable Mention: Outside town – Double Arch Bridge, Birdsong Hollow, Natchez Trace Parkway
5. Franklin’s beautiful downtown and many delicious food options
4. Franklin Theatre live entertainment venue
3. St Paul’s Episcopal Church – “Our doors are always open.”
2. Live music with your meal
1. Franklin’s robust culture of music played by everyone, including live music performances outdoors
Special mention: Franklin Square – I recognize the importance of this public gathering place in the center of Franklin, but do not support the presence of Confederate monuments in such places. I look forward to this monument’s eventual removal. People who say “heritage not hate” have closed their minds to facts of history. I note that despite the symbolism of slavery and racism, I saw teens of several races gathering together in friendship there (see the picture above).
I support reconciliation – the restoration of friendly relations through wide-spread social understanding and redress of grievances for the harmful effects dealt to minority populations through long-standing, significant institutional discrimination against them by the government of the United States and of the states, e.g., for African Americans, American Indians (including honoring American Indian treaty requirements), and Mexican migrants (including immigration reform and supporting “Dreamers”).