I agree with almost everything you posted. Memphis also needs to spruce up that outdated skyline and do away with that makeshift trolley! Memphis needs to step in the future and implement a lightrail train. Shelby County school system is awful! Too much poverty and crime but the glorification of crime is sickening. Memphis is lagging years behind southern cities like Atlanta,Dallas,Charlotte,and Houston! If you like a slow paced city then Memphis is the city you should call home.
Derek | Memphis, TN | Report Abuse

Memphis has a beautiful and unique culture. It is not a requirement of any city to be a chaos of various cultures from around the world for it to be considered "special." That is OFTEN how local culture can be lost, destroyed, and lose its distinctive nature because there are so many "cultures" that drown it out. There is nothing wrong with preserving the local culture of a city, especially if it has produced culinary and musical traditions that have influenced the world. Memphis has a historical and beautiful local culture PARTLY BECAUSE OF ITS AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY YOU JUST INDIRECTLY DISRESPECTED IN YOUR REVIEW. I have lived in the North, and I know all about it. IT IS NOT THAT MUCH BETTER AT ALL. You used a lot of "code words" in your review to indirectly express your disdain for Black Southern Culture and Southern Black Americans. I find it funny that you complained about the "lack of cultural diversity" in Memphis, but you moved to a city that is nearly 70% white. Cambridge, MA, is not a culturally diverse place at all. I am not surprised that the local population did not welcome you. Tensions between the North and South have existed for a long time. I have experienced this myself, but I recognize that it goes BOTH WAYS with the disrespect, the judgments, and the rudeness. THE NORTH IS THE LAST PLACE EVER TO BE CONSIDERED HOSPITABLE. The problem in Memphis to you was not the lack of cultural diversity; it was that you were not comfortable being in a city that was majority Black. Furthermore, you seem to have a disdain for Black Southern Culture because it is an integral part of that city's local culture. I lived in Memphis; therefore, I know there are plenty of articulate, well-spoken Southerners who live in Memphis and read and write grammatically correct sentences. You have a solid corporate culture and major internationally known hospital system in Memphis. That requires a person to read, write, spell, and speak standard English. I am pretty sure most people working in those hospitals and corporate jobs are from the South. Public education can be a problem anywhere you go when you are dealing with systemic racism. There are many quality theatres, shopping, restaurants, and museums in Memphis. You wrote a bias and prejudice review based on your suspected aversion to African-Americans. Enjoy the "cultural diversity" of the city you moved to that is 70% white.
Jacklyn | Athens, GA | Report Abuse

Spot on, Jacklyn! Well said! I am from the north, Chicago a world class segregated city! And Memphis is less segregated than Chicago! Memphis is a little less segregated in the housing area than Chicago is but Chicago is way more segregated in its cultural activities, neighborhoods, schools, theaters, museums, restaurants, bars, clubs- both social and night, than many would expect. Even working in downtown Chicago it was majority white ppl. Every major city has its challenges that’s just common sense, the more ppl that you have the more problems that you have. Crime is in every major metro area. Ppl run to the suburbs in Chicago just like they do in Memphis but they all have to run right back to city! Why? Because despite the “lack of cultural diversity in Memphis” that IS where the zoo, theaters, museums, sports and concert stadiums are. Same as with Chicago. The actual city limits IS where you have to go for some authentic eats. For places that stay open past 10pm. So, ppl love to talk down on the major cities they live near, use “code words” for the ppl that reside within the city limits, but it’s funny how much they rely on what those cities offer. Every major city has its pros and cons. Can Memphis improve? Absolutely it can! However, it’s not all on the average working person, let’s not pretend there aren’t ppl in power, lawmakers that don’t mind the status quo, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Jennifer | Memphis, TN | Report Abuse

Being from Memphis, I have to say that you are completely right. I know there is good and bad in every city, but not like Memphis. Last year we had over 300 murders with a population of 650,000. We also lead the nation in EVERY crime category. I'm not trying to bash Memphis, I'm just want anyone who visits to be aware of what to expect. There is rampant racism on both sides, and don't even think about blowing your horn at another car. Yes, we lead the nation in interstate shootings too. If you come, enjoy the wonderful food. We have excellent BBQ for any taste. Last, DO NOT stay on Beale Street after dark, or any other street for that matter. Good luck!
Mark | Marion, AR | Report Abuse

Umm, it's "biased" and "prejudiced".(I'm sure you intended the past participles rather than the nouns?) I've lived in Memphis since the early 60's and morn the loss of the once internationally renowned medical community and the associated culture. Compare the crime rate to the national average and the inarguable conclusion must be Memphis lost it's groove during the past 40 years, no matter how loud one shouts innuendos of racism.
Philip | Memphis, TN | Report Abuse