Elvis A racist? Debunking a Urban Legend

[john carpenter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34LrCW2djCk

[john carpenter]

Sorry Friends..I meant Debunking an Urban Legend..Spell Check lol

[scarlet_nell]

Of course he wasn't a racist! Elvis loved everyone no matter what color they are

[debtdbruno]

very true.............he didn't have a racist bone in his body

[KPM]

I know I have posted this before,but Jet magazine sent a reporter to check out allegations about racism and Elvis in 1957...............they found them unfounded.

[Elizasong]

Thanks for debunking John!!

I wish the people that say this crap should go with the people that claim Elvis is alive and take a short walk on a long pier!

[KPM]

Heres a pretty good explaination of the 1957 investigation by Jet Magazine of Elvis and race:
Louie Robinson, the black associate editor of the black-owned JET magazine, decided to investigate the authenticity of the alleged statement and report to his readers. “Tracing the rumored racial slur to its source was like running a gopher to earth,” Robinson later wrote. “No matter what hole it dived back in, it popped out of another one.”

Running down Elvis was easier. In the summer of 1957, Robinson interviewed the star in his Hollywood dressing room on the set of Jailhouse Rock. Presley categorically denied making the statement. “I never said anything like that,” he declared, “and people who know me know I wouldn’t have said it.”
Robinson then talked with some blacks who knew Elvis and included their remarks in his JET article. “He faces everybody as a man,” said Dudley Brooks, a Los Angeles piano player who worked on Presley recording sessions. “I never heard of the remark, but even so I can’t imagine Presley saying that, not knowing him the way I do.”Back in Tupelo, Dr. W.A. Zuber told Robinson, “I knew him when he was a kid. He used to play the guitar and go around with quartets and to Negro ‘sanctified’ meetings. He lived near the colored section, and people around here say he’s one of the nicest boys they ever knew. He just doesn’t impress me as the type of person who would say a thing like that.
Indeed, in heavily segregated Memphis of that day, Presley was regularly seen at black-only events. In June 1956, a Memphis newspaper reported that Elvis had attended the Memphis Fairgrounds amusement park on a designated “colored night.” The next month, he attended black radio station WDIA’s charity event, featuring all-black talent, including Ray Charles, B. B. King, the Moonglows, and DJ Rufus Thomas.B. B. King defends Elvis

In a Sepia article, B. B. King supported Elvis. “What most people don’t know,” stated King, “is that this boy is serious about what he’s doing. He’s carried away by it. When I was in Memphis with my band, he used to stand in the wings and watch us perform. As for fading away, rock and roll is here to stay and so, I believe, is Elvis. He’s been a shot in the arm to the business and all I can say is ‘that’s my man’.”

[monk37]

and I don't think he had been in Boston at that point either

[rickb]

Ithink Elvis' role in popularising `black' music speaks for itself

[lvs2day]

if i remember correctly it all started with a suposed comment that he made about black people that the only thing they could do for him was shine his shoes , even oprah believed this for the longest time until the reporter admited[john abreu of arkansas] admited that he did not have ELVIS quote on tape as he first claimed. ELVIS was litteraly surounded and felt very comfortable around black people and all races i imagine as his fame grew and i also believe he grew to appreciate them and understand all races even more, i'm also sure he joked or said things from time to time but nothing to the extent that lamar says he did , the fallout between him and the sweets onstage in norfolk in 75 is well known , but he did appolligise, but it is an example of his hate for any kind of drugs other than prescribed[for years this episode was considerd a racial act and slur] ,and he rightfully said what needed to be said, in my opinon.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Another thing to consider is the way people spoke back in the 50's, 60's and 70's, what was considered alright back then is completely unacceptable today, the same thing goes for sexual equality and the way women are viewed and spoken about.

It is very difficult to judge someone from accepted behaviours back them from todays standards.

When I see some films and hear the way Elvis spoke about woman it makes me cringe at how those views were accepted.

[PiersEIN]

Look here. the most important Elvis article I have ever written,
Cheers
Piers

>>>
'Elvis was not a Racist'- (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_elvis_not_racist.html)EIN sets the record straight: (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_elvis_not_racist.html) Piers Beagley has an in-depth look at Elvis' background & cultural influences, discovering a man that not only helped the local black community but who was also key figure in the racial integration of popular music. As James Brown said, "I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother" and Muhammad Ali, "Elvis Presley was the sweetest, most humble and nicest man you'd want to know." (Spotlight Article, Source: EIN)
http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/MuhammadAli.jpeg

[Getlo]

very true.............he didn't have a racist bone in his body

Let's stay in the bounds of reality here.

Everyone has some degree of racism in them.

[rocknroll]

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/presley1.asp

[sasha]

Look here. the most important Elvis article I have ever written,
Cheers
Piers

>>>
'Elvis was not a Racist'- (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_elvis_not_racist.html)EIN sets the record straight: (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_elvis_not_racist.html) Piers Beagley has an in-depth look at Elvis' background & cultural influences, discovering a man that not only helped the local black community but who was also key figure in the racial integration of popular music. As James Brown said, "I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother" and Muhammad Ali, "Elvis Presley was the sweetest, most humble and nicest man you'd want to know." (Spotlight Article, Source: EIN)
http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/MuhammadAli.jpeg

Thank you, Piers. This is what I've found too.
I have a great many friends from different cultures & ethnic groups. I don't consider any of them different than me or anyone else I know. The '70's was an interesting time to be alive. It included riots ,the KKK, hatred from many sides. Sometimes, it appears it's getting like that today in the US. A great time for ones that desire freedom , honesty & equality. A hard time for ones fighting the racial slurs, etc. I've lived & worked with all kinds of people. It's very educational & rewarding for ones that take the time. (y)

[May]

Let's stay in the bounds of reality here.

Everyone has some degree of racism in them.

That's interesting you say that. I've always thought that but I think some people are too afraid to admit to it.