Comments on: Memphis Majority Black Metro: Say It Loud!

By: Midtowner

Midtowner — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:11:07 +0000

It shouldn’t be about the color of the citizens but about the quality of the citizens.

By: Tyler White

Tyler White — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:34:13 +0000

Thanks for writing this; definitely thought worthy. I read the White City article not long ago and it resonated as someone who last lived in Minneapolis and is in Portland 4-5 times a year on business. I can’t speak for what would draw 25-34 young black professionals, but can speak for the creative class in that same age bracket: Memphis has “it” and needs to sell it more. The “great dissatisfaction” line I think applies whether one is brown/purple/white/etc: when I lived in Chicago 98-06 the only majority black 25-34 restaurant I ever frequented was Blu 47 in Bronzeville. There was simply a diverse crowd of young creative brown/black/white folks in places that served great food/drinks all across the city. Same went for volunteer ops, civic organizations etc. While Chicago has the poor history of black belt zoning, Daley I, etc, it seems the speed in which the global economy has driven Chicago (combined with the density)has allowed the city to evolve multiculturally faster. My limited experience as a Memphian is the younger folks get it, but there is a pent up racial barrier in older generations (in my exposure white specifically) which are encumbered by historic baggage and slow our ability to actualize what could be. Thankfully, I see the green shoots and strong pillars of what is occurring within Memphis. I believe we owe it to ourselves to change the narrative: and a great strength is the diversity of people moving a city forward as “One Memphis”.

By: Sheila Edmundson Redick

Sheila Edmundson Redick — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:23:10 +0000

Loved this post. Spot on. Thanks.

By: Steve Redding

Steve Redding — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:36:19 +0000

Excellent commentary, Dr. Santo. Memphis has often been afraid to recognize it’s racial diversity as a strength to build upon. As you say, we have tried to follow other cities with different populations and different assets rather than build upon the richness of our black heritage. Our nation is rapidly becoming more ethnically diverse, and the progressive cities of the future will embrace their unique cultural heritage – this will make a better city for all of us, regardless of race.