Memphis I loved it (crime rate, high schools, live)

[westtnman]

Memphis has many problems. So does just about every other big city in the United States.

One of Memphis' biggest problems is reputation. That reputation is hurt, not only by the citizens of Memphis, but the rest of the state of Tennessee. I have been reading these forums for a long time (this is my first post, however) and cannot believe some of the things that are said on this site by other posters; especially those that live in other parts of this state. I recently read a post that told someone not to move to West TN because it is uglier, hotter, poorer, less educated, and more economically depressed than the rest of the state. In addition, the poster also stated that you are more likely to get killed in a tornado in West TN than in Middle or East TN. The poster recommended not moving to Memphis at all because it was so dangerous.

While I did not do a comprehensive comparison between the three grand divisions of our state, I did a quick search and discovered...

...that the average temperature in July in Memphis is a slight 3 degrees higher than Nashville and only 5 degrees higher than Knoxville. Hardly a difference that someone should use in deciding to move to an area or not.

...that West TN is poorer than some other areas of the state but compares very favorably to other areas. As the poster was from East TN, I am not sure when the residents of Appalachia became so economically blessed compared to the people out in West TN. The same can be said for education and economic conditions.

...as far as tornadoes... I can't believe someone actually used that as a comparison. Maybe between Oklahoma and Nevada...but not between two areas in TN. Didn't Murfreesboro just get hit by a tornado - the second one in recent years just like Jackson? Didn't Nashville's downtown get hit by a tornado just a few years ago?

....Nashville was recently listed as the 9th most dangerous city in the U.S. (behind Memphis at 2). I don't see as much emphasis put on that lofty ranking as Memphis' ranking.

I grew up in Middle TN and have lived in Nashville, Knoxville, and an hour outside Memphis. All three have pros and cons. My favorite place to live has been West TN by far. I am sure my reasons for liking it here would not be the same criteria used by others and they might find living in another part of the state more sutied for them.

We have a wonderful state. Unique and beautiful from Bristol to Memphis and am proud to call it all home. I believe that it doesn't help the reputation of West TN, or specifically Memphis, any and I don't see why some people in other areas of the state feel compelled to bash the good people out west.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by westtnman

I don't see why some people in other areas of the state feel compelled to bash the good people out west.

Because it's Tennessee.

Like it or not, Tennessee breaks down into 3's more then just by East, Middle, and West. East Tennessee is mostly white. Middle Tennessee is also mostly white but has a larger mixture of races. West Tennessee spec. Memphis is majority black. Even though this is 2009, Not everyone is beyond racism and I think many people put Memphis down only because it's large black population no matter if they say it or not.

You'd be supprised the amount of people that refer to Memphis as "Memphrica"

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by JoeCartpath

I'm pretty sure Baltimore - along with just about every other large city - has it's own version of Frayser, South Memphis and Hickory Hill. I just avoid those areas when visiting another city - just as I avoid them here. Well, there was that wrong turn I made in St. Louis once....

You can live your entire life in Memphis without going near those areas....

we probably made the same wrong turn. i ended up in east st. louis at 1:10 a.m. believe me, that was one big wake-up call.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

That is in no way, shape, or form Memphis' biggest problem. It's also not just a Memphians having a bad image of their city thing, Memphis is known as the Detroit of the South for a reason and it's nationally known.

Personally, I lived there for 6 months and had no big problems. The biggest thing that happend while I was there was some 13 year old kid shot a mall security officer and left him dead on a bridge or path or something as a part of a gang initiation.

If Memphis wants change they need to start at the polls but I just don't see it happening.

what reason did the 5 blacks give for murdering the vanderbilt professor and his visiting sister in late august, 2008? i wasn't hurt while i spent the summer in nashville; however, i lived not far from that area in west nashville. what about the several murders at convenience stores and the bodies found strewn throughout west, south, and east nashville. there is a reason nashville is ranked #9 of MOST VIOLENT CITIES...and west nashville is an equal opportunity murder area.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Because it's Tennessee.

Like it or not, Tennessee breaks down into 3's more then just by East, Middle, and West. East Tennessee is mostly white. Middle Tennessee is also mostly white but has a larger mixture of races. West Tennessee spec. Memphis is majority black. Even though this is 2009, Not everyone is beyond racism and I think many people put Memphis down only because it's large black population no matter if they say it or not.

You'd be supprised the amount of people that refer to Memphis as "Memphrica"

The first time I ever heard Memphis referred to as "Memfrica" was by my black neighbors in Memphis who said they loved the nickname.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by kingchef

what reason did the 5 blacks give for murdering the vanderbilt professor and his visiting sister in late august, 2008? i wasn't hurt while i spent the summer in nashville; however, i lived not far from that area in west nashville. what about the several murders at convenience stores and the bodies found strewn throughout west, south, and east nashville. there is a reason nashville is ranked #9 of MOST VIOLENT CITIES...and west nashville is an equal opportunity murder area.

What about Nashville ? I honestly can't wait to get out of Tennessee personally, I'm headed to Texas in May 2010.

Edit: As for Memphis, I never said I hated the place or was scared of the crime. I actually had a pretty good time there. I grew up in some pretty bad areas of Tampa. I laugh sometimes are areas of town in Nashville and Memphis that are considered " bad "

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by JMT

The first time I ever heard Memphis referred to as "Memfrica" was by my black neighbors in Memphis who said they loved the nickname.

I'm sure they do and I'm sure alot of black people in Memphis are fond of the nickname and actually proud of it. I'm also sure that Cooter in Tullahoma or Billy Bob in Pulaski aren't calling it that for black pride. I'll assume (I know) that when you hear someone white and rural saying it, It's more of a putdown then anything else.

Memphis has a bad rep throughout the state and region moreso because it's a black city then because of it's crime because like you guys have said, Nashville is 9th in crime and we don't have a bad rep here. Yet.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

I'm sure they do and I'm sure alot of black people in Memphis are fond of the nickname and actually proud of it. I'm also sure that Cooter in Tullahoma or Billy Bob in Pulaski aren't calling it that for black pride. I'll assume (I know) that when you hear someone white and rural saying it, It's more of a putdown then anything else.

Memphis has a bad rep throughout the state and region moreso because it's a black city then because of it's crime because like you guys have said, Nashville is 9th in crime and we don't have a bad rep here. Yet.

I agree, I'm sure much of the reason the rest of TN gives Memphis a bad rap is because of racism. However, racism doesn't account for the absolutely wretched Memphis public school system. The lousy schools in Memphis is another big reason people give for avoiding living in Memphis.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by JMT

I agree, I'm sure much of the reason the rest of TN gives Memphis a bad rap is because of racism. However, racism doesn't account for the absolutely wretched Memphis public school system. The lousy schools in Memphis is another big reason people give for avoiding living in Memphis.

to be fair, many of the davidson county schools are in the same boat (threats to control under state and federal mandates) as memphis city schools. truth is, by and large, public schools are poor. large numbers of blacks and mexicans are going to do nothing but exascerbate the problem. it does not take a ph.d in social psychology to figure out what the average joe knows to be true.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by kingchef

to be fair, many of the davidson county schools are in the same boat (threats to control under state and federal mandates) as memphis city schools. truth is, by and large, public schools are poor. large numbers of blacks and mexicans are going to do nothing but exascerbate the problem. it does not take a ph.d in social psychology to figure out what the average joe knows to be true.

Yeah, Nashville won't win many awards for its school system. But by and large they are considerably better than the absolutely pathetic school system in Memphis.

I used to teach in Memphis, and I remember the uproar when it was suggested that some of the more miserable public high schools should close and merge. You know, the kinds of schools that have 300 students in their freshman class but only 60 who actually graduate (and even then, many were still functionally illiterate). Because those schools are almost 99% black, howls or racism were screamed by the African American community.

I occasionally have students here at UTK from some of the more dismal Memphis schools, and every single one of those students has told me they absolutely do not want to return to Memphis.