Elvis Wasn’t Racist. Neither Is Giving Him the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Weekly Standard ^ | Nov 16, 2018 | Mark Hemingway

[ETL]

Even if Elvis popularized an art form that people of another race largely invented, it’s hard to argue that a lots and lots of successful black artists didn’t walk right through the doors he opened.

Presley was initially a hero among black musicians in Memphis for that reason, and there’s no reason to think Elvis himself was racist.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

In 1956, it was reported the ‘“the rock ’n’ roll phenomenon cracked Memphis’s segregation laws” by attending the Memphis Fairgrounds amusement park “during what is designated as ‘colored night.’”

Elvis’s personal reputation for being opposed to racism is marred only by one damnable lie that he never said.

Rock ‘n’ roll has been around for the better part of a century. If you’re invested in making Elvis an avatar for racial resentments more than 40 years after his death, you’re, perhaps unwittingly, making the problems of contemporary divisions worse. Music is one of a precious few cultural forces still holding us together. It’s not zero sum; we can acknowledge that more credit is owed to black musical pioneers and acknowledge that Elvis was remarkably talented man a who made a singular connection with tens of millions of Americans that went well beyond race. Recognizing Elvis doesn’t negate the fact that Chuck D deserves credit for, say, powerfully calling out Arizona for initially refusing to recognize MLK Day.

I’m quite certain that race had nothing to with what music my grandfather enjoyed (I suggest younger readers Google ‘Charley Pride’). And as a testament to Elvis being deserving of a Presidential Medal of Freedom, I would like to submit my dying grandfather’s deep appreciation.

[a fool in paradise]

Obama painted the white house gay when an Islamist shot up a nughtclub because he was upset over Obama’s drone strikes on muslim nations.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I remember that story. Don’t know if it was supposed to be true. Could be, though.

[FrankR]

[TalBlack]

Even if Elvis popularized an art form that people of another race largely invented,...”

Stopped reading right there. Putting aside the fact that NONE of the music blacks were doing existed in or came from Africa...NOBODY sounded like Elvis, PERIOD! If they had they’d have been given a recording contract. The kids didn’t give a crap about the race of the artists and the producers knew it.

[TaxPayer2000]

The Sweet Inspirations...back up singers for Elvis.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Yeah it was good, but Elvis arrangement was better.

[the OlLine Rebel]

The article stated that Jet exonerated Elvis. At least back then, when they talked to him.

[Yardstick]

Elvis probably adored them, and they probably adored him.

[Mouton]

I don’t care what they think. Elvis served in army. Gets my vote.

[Big Red Badger]

,,,and every thief believes
Everyone is a thief!

Thanks Odumbo for setting
Race relations Back to the 1960s’

[Big Red Badger]

The ‘Buddy Holly Story’

Shows that incident you speak of.
And another at a Motel ,,,
.
Do we as a nation have to Relive
All the Garbage of 60 yrs.Ago?
Just as 160 yrs.Ago?
Reparations may be the Easiest
Way,but would the Debt ever been Stamped
“Paid In Full”?

[Feckless]

I've accepted that EVERYTHING is Racist, therefore nothing is more Racist than any other thing.

I'll be putting the lawn jockey out tomorrow and I can't wait to use the "N" word in a conversation...

[Brown Deer]

[Dutch Boy]

Proof that Elvis was a racist... Oops, I guess this pic really didn't fit that narrative. What the heck, truth must yield to the narrative or the little lefties will cry, pout and start a riot.

[LeoWindhorse]

ELVIS AARON PRESLEY. Elvis Presley defined American culture to billions of adoring fans around the world. Elvis fused gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to create a sound all his own, selling more than a billion records. Elvis also served nearly 2 years in the United States Army, humbly accepting the call to serve despite his fame. He later starred in 31 films, drew record-breaking audiences to his shows, sent television ratings soaring, and earned 14 GRAMMY Award nominations. He ultimately won 3 GRAMMY Awards for his gospel music. Elvis Presley remains an enduring American icon 4 decades after his death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eve2AUH8IDk

[Yaelle]

Isn’t this all so very sad?

This country is the best in the world to live in, and I’ve tried some pretty nice ones. What makes it great (besides the founding docs) are the people, from Europe, Africa, indigenous, and Asia. But most especially the ones from European and African origins. I have lived in countries with no people of African origin (yes, besides Manhattan Beach, lol) and I didn’t like that.

I love my AA brothers and sisters of America and enjoy the culture, flavors, sounds, everything they have brought to this nation. I’m sorry their ancestors were enslaved. Mine were too, and mine were genocided all too recently. But I love their descendants. And I love the culture and flavors and history white Americans brought from Europe, too. I hate to see such amazing ideas, arts, and tastes now insulted only because of the white skin of their inventors. Not to leave them out, but our indigenous and Asian brothers and sisters, same thing, so many contributions.

We SHOULD culturally appropriate! Ever raised a small child? I have one right here. When she sees another child, or someone on YouTube, do something, Art, a dance, a skill, she copies it. Then, once she’s got it, she makes it her own. ITS CALLED LEARNING. It’s how we human primates get so good at things. Let’s copy each other’s best, and stop segregating. The best thing that happened to music was people like Elvis, on either side, CROSSING OVER.

[zeugma]

I recall reading of an incident where Elvis bout got his ass kicked because he objected to having some black folk he had playing with him enter through a back entrance. I seriously doubt he was racist at all. He regularly performed with black artists, and readily admitted that his style of playing had very strong roots in the secular black music scene of the day, and black gospel music as well. One weird thing about Elvis, is that though folk consider him 'the King of Rock and Roll', his discography actually contains more gospel than rock music.

[BradyLS]

I must admit. I don’t quite understand the sign language in that one.

My guess is the kid’s saying he’s packing and Obama’s saying he is too and that folks have him covered.

[Bigtigermike]

Elvis grew up for many years in north Memphis heavily black area. My co worker said that her mom use to see Elvis walking in the ‘hood’ playing his guitar

[zeugma]

Elvis grew up for many years in north Memphis heavily black area. My co worker said that her mom use to see Elvis walking in the ‘hood’ playing his guitar

I was aware of that. Same was true for me when I was younger. It gives you a bit different outlook on race than you get from folks who never really have lived in truly mixed areas. I can remember several of my black (and white) friends calling me 'nigger' in a friendly way because we were all just buds. It wasn't meant in a derogatory way, though we all knew of and used that particular epithet towards some who actually deserved it. Again, the race of the target of same didn't really matter, because we knew exactly what we meant.

Later on, I moved to an area that was so freaking lilly white, that a full half of the black population of my junior high school class was president of that class. i.e., there were 2 blacks in my class and one was popular enough to be class president. Racism was almost completely foreign in that environment because it just didn't come up.

The people trying to claim Elvis Presley was some kind of racist are most likely very sheltered and small hearted individuals.