Elvis & The Black Community

Many people believe or have heard that Elvis Presley was a supposed "racist". The start of this rumor was when a magazine printed an article about him that said he had made the famous remark, "The only thing a Black person can do for me is buy my records and shine my shoes." There is no actual evidence that Elvis said this, but it is still widely believed. 

I myself have done some lengthy research, and there is too much evidence that debunks the myth of Elvis being a racist. As you can see in the pictures, Elvis had established friendships with Black entertainers and ordinary people throughout his life. Muhammad Ali recalls his time with Elvis with this quote, "Elvis was my close personal friend. He came to my Deer Lake training camp about two years before he died. I don’t admire anybody, but Elvis Presley was the sweetest, most humble, and nicest man you’d want to know". 

Many people are not even aware of the fact that Elvis grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Tupelo, Mississippi. He had Black friends as a child (look up Sam Bell) and attended all-Black churches. Elvis broke the racial barriers of the time, even before he would hit the world stage decades later. He also broke segregation laws when he celebrated "Juneteenth" at the Memphis Fairgrounds in 1956. People have to understand that many of the older generation were against Elvis because he played "race music". His earliest fans were, in fact, Black people. While the older generation was breaking his records on the air, many Black entertainers were thankful that Elvis brought the mix of rhythm and blues and rockabilly to the mainstream. Many artists have credited him with this, including Chuck Berry. As Berry once said, "Blacks didn't have the airwaves Elvis had. He delivered what he obtained beautifully." 

Although Elvis was never public about his opposition to racism and bigotry, he did express his desire for peace and unity in the song, "If I Can Dream". The song was adapted after Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis Mafia member and close friend, Jerry Schilling, recalled that Elvis lowered his voice to nearly a whisper and said simply, "He always spoke the truth." I recommend that all fans listen to the actual words of the song and feel what Elvis felt for the Black community and for people in general. I should also point out that Elvis had several of King’s speeches memorized and would recite them regularly, according to friends and witnesses. I truly believe that Elvis saw all people as equals. It didn’t matter if you were Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc. Elvis loved all people, and he tried to unite everyone through his music.

You may wonder how Elvis felt about the rumor that was attributed to him. I have that answer for you…In a Jet Magazine interview from 1986, Elvis’s cook of 14 years, Mary Jenkins, revealed that Elvis once opened up to her about the rumor. "He said, 'You know they put the wrong report out on me…If it wasn’t for Black people and the Lord, I wouldn’t be living today. I would have starved." Elvis is referring to a time during his childhood when a Black preacher who lived next door to his family would call their son to come eat. They would also offer Elvis food, as the Presleys were poor. Most people need to understand the poverty that Elvis came from. He was definitely on the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder, but once he found fame and fortune, he never forgot the love that the Black community showed him, way before he made his big break in the music industry. Remember that it all started with his outstanding upbringing in Tupelo, MS.

Those who try to push the narrative that Elvis was racist clearly need to correct themselves. I’m not here to judge anyone. I just wanted to spread the truth because this lie has gone on for far too long and it surely isn’t fair to Elvis.

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What did they say?

"Describe Elvis Presley? He was the greatest who ever was, is or ever will be."

 – Chuck Berry

“I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him. Last time I saw him was at Graceland. We sang Old Blind Barnabus together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother. 

– James Brown 

"Elvis, he was unique. And he loved the blues, it was a pity he didn't do more." 

– B.B. King 

"Elvis was a giant and influenced everyone in the business."

– Isaac Hayes

"He was an integrator, Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn't let black music through. He opened the door for black music."

– Little Richard

"Well a lot of people said Elvis stole our music. Stole the Black man's music. The Black man, white man, has got no music of their own. Music belongs to the universe."

– Rufus Thomas

"A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the Black man’s music, when in fact, almost every Black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis."

– Jackie Wilson

"There was something just bordering on rudeness about Elvis. He never actually did anything rude, but he always seemed as if he was just going to. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate him eleven."

– Sammy Davis Jr

"To Elvis people are people, regardless of race, color or creed." 

– Lou Robinson

"I would never think that Elvis Presley was a racist." 

– Darlene Love

"Elvis was a great man and did more for civil rights than people know. To say he was a racist is an insult to us all."

– Ernest Withers