Memphis where Dr. King was Killed, "Once America's most Racist City," Obscures Black Memphis History, In 2025 Memphis is the Hallmark of White Supremacy, Racism & Black on Black Racism, Memphis has a cotton Museum and no Black Memphis History Museum
MEMPHIS, TN, April 04, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This story is a detailed expose' published April 4, 2025 marking 57 years since the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis April 4, 1968. The 2022 Census data noted Memphis, Tennessee as the city with the largest population of Black residents in the United States, surpassing Detroit by a small margin.
Amidst the vibrant heritage of Memphis, there exist a culture of White Supremacy, Racism, Black on Black Racism and a prejudice against Black Memphis History. Memphis does not have a "Black Memphis History Museum" or a chronicle written "Black Memphis History." This void not only disrespects the legacy of the city's Black community but also underscores a systemic erasure, a betrayal of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who gave his life fighting for equality and justice of Blacks in Memphis.
Click here to see video posted on You Tube August 21, 2021 titled: Black Memphis Filmmaker Elmore ask Shelby County Attorney to answer charge of Discrimination This August 21, 2021 video documents Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris support of White Supremacy, Racism and his Black on Black Racism to obscure "Black Memphis History" and support White Supremacy in Memphis
As the most populous city of Black Americans, Memphis' neglect to honor its past is an indictment of its present, a stark reminder that the struggle for acknowledgment and justice is far from over. This silence in the face of rich history is a festering wound, a disservice to those who forged the path for civil rights in America. Memphis Black leaders support a culture and practice to suppress Black Memphis history betrays Dr. King, whereas in Memphis there is a culture practice and prejudice against "Black Memphis History."
Click here to see the May 22, 2019 "You Tube" video titled: 200 Years of Black Memphis History: Movie by Anthony "Amp" Elmore.
In a city where the echoes of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination still resonate, the Black majority of Memphis City Council, Black majority Shelby County Commission, Memphis Shelby County Film Commission, the City of Memphis and Black Shelby Mayor Lee Harris outright discriminated and would not allow Elmore's film "200 years of Black Memphis History" to be an official part of the Bicentennial Celebration in Memphis in May of 2019.
Via a courageous move to document Black Memphis history and fight against the Memphis systemic racism, Anthony "Amp" Elmore was denied a place in the official 2019 bicentennial celebration. Elmore boldly premiered his film at the Malco Majestic Theatre in Memphis and simultaneously released the Film on YouTube on Memphis official 200th birthday Wednesday May 22, 2019.
The absence of a dedicated "Specific Black Memphis History Museum" or a comprehensive written chronicle of "Black Memphis History" in Memphis represents a significant gap in the city's historical narrative. This absence means that the rich and complex stories of Black Memphians, their contributions, and their struggles, is outright fragmented and underrepresented. A dedicated museum or chronicle would serve as a crucial repository for preserving and showcasing this history, ensuring that future generations have access to a complete and accurate understanding of the city's past.
A Black Memphis History museum would also empower the Black community by validating their experiences and celebrating their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. Furthermore, such an institution would have the potential to become a vital educational resource, promoting dialogue and understanding between different communities, and contributing to the city's cultural and economic development. Without a centralized space for these narratives, the full tapestry of Memphis's history remains incomplete, hindering a true appreciation of the city's diverse and impactful past.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore is a Memphis born 5-time world Karate/Kickboxing champion, a community activist, founder of "The Proud Back Buddhist World Association, Historian and Memphis 1st 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker, who's 1988 Film Release is the "The Contemporary Gladiator" is the "1st Kickboxing Film in World film history.
The story of Memphis is a Betrayal of Dr. King and Black America. Click here to see the Anthony "Amp" Elmore nearly 3 hour video that premiered on You Tube March 25, 2022 titled: Orange Mound A Black Lecture Critical Race Theory by Anthony "Amp" Elmore. Elmore premiered the movie at the Malco Studio on the Square March 22, 2022.
In the film Elmore notes; before there were Blacks associated with the "Atlantic Slave Trade" there were Black people already in America known as "Black Native Americans" who were in America prior to the Atlantic Slave Trade. This almost 3 hour film about "Orange Mound" presents the most comprehensive story presented about "Black Memphis History."
On February 14, 2025, the film Captain America: Brave New World premiered, marking a milestone in American cultural history. The significance of this film lies not only in its content but in its context—featuring a Black man as Captain America, it symbolized progress and steps toward inclusivity. The film was created at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, near the birthplace and church of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., aligning its themes with the legacy of Dr. King's dream of equality. Additionally, some scenes were shot at Tyler Perry Studios, another notable Black-owned studio in Atlanta, further emphasizing the importance of honoring Black cultural and historical contributions.
In stark contrast, Memphis—a city less than 400 miles away—offers a troubling disparity in its approach to celebrating Black history. Atlanta honors Dr. King's life and legacy, fostering cultural growth with institutions and spaces that highlight achievements and progress.
Meanwhile, Memphis focuses overwhelmingly on the tragic death of Dr. King rather than celebrating his life's work. Despite being the most populated city of Black residents in America, Memphis lacks a Black Memphis History Museum and instead features a Cotton Museum, which inadvertently highlights a painful legacy of exploitation. Furthermore, the absence of a written chronicle of Black Memphis history exacerbates the issue, making the city's contributions to Black culture and history nearly invisible.
This disparity becomes even more striking when considering the accomplishments of Tammy Williams, a Black female film studio owner in Atlanta, who recently built a $132 million studio, demonstrating a commitment to cultural progress. Memphis, by contrast, remains entrenched in systemic racism, both external and internal, as opportunities for Black filmmakers remain scarce. The cultural bias in Memphis is evident in the deliberate obscuring of achievements like Anthony "Amp" Elmore's 1988 theatrical film The Contemporary Gladiator. As Memphis's first 35mm theatrical release and the first kickboxing film in world history, this accomplishment should have been celebrated. Yet, it remains buried under a culture that refuses to elevate Black history.
Memphis stands in opposition to the vibrant cultural progress found in Atlanta, underscoring a pattern of systemic exclusion and erasure. The city seems purposefully focused on highlighting tragedies rather than celebrating triumphs, fostering a culture of neglect toward its own Black history. April 4, 2025, the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination—it is crucial to address this disparity and demand that Memphis take meaningful steps to honor Black history, not only through tragedy but through the celebration of life, accomplishments, and progress. Establishing a Black Memphis History Museum could be a transformative step toward acknowledging and preserving the city's rich but underrepresented legacy.
DNA evidence notes that Elmore's Great, Great……Grandfather was Emperor Running Stream Big Wahunsonacock the Powhatan Chief is his 12th Grandfather and the father of Pocahontas. Elmore's 12th Aunt Elizabeth Powhatan is the baby sister of Pocahontas and Pocahontas was his aunt.
Elmore is fighting Memphis ignorance, White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism in Memphis. Elmore is clear: "my Great Great Grandfather Chief Powhatan lived 1545-to-1618 DNA Evidence notes that my ancestry goes back to the original natives of this land called America.
The one fact that is clear for Anthony "Amp" Elmore and should be clear to African/Americans in Memphis "We are all not just African and it "Black Memphis History" does not start on May 22, 1819 when Andrew Jackson named this city Memphis.
Memphis stands alone in its dark legacy, unmatched in the depth of brutality and hardship endured by its Black community. No other city in America bears such a harrowing history of mistreatment and pain implemented on Memphis Blacks.
Click here to see a video of Black on Black racism implements on Elmore by Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. The Video is titled: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris "Dis" African Leader."
It was on April 4, 1968 whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis whereas Dr. King was a victim of a "planned hit" whereas Memphis has a culture and practice that continues to "Hit Black Memphis."
The erasure of Black history, culture, and identity in Memphis is a deliberate act of harm, like a hit job, that leaves people vulnerable and disconnected. The lack recognition and inspiration becomes a form of violence.
Click here to see a scene from the two & 1/2 Minute Video titled: "Robbing Black Memphis Film History Invasion of The Body Snatchers."
This video shines light on the prospective of Memphis born Black Filmmaker Anthony "Amp" Elmore whereas White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism was used to rob not only Elmore out of his rightful Film history as Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker this robbery is an assault on Black people worldwide. Black in Memphis were robbed of a "Black Heritage Asset."
Memphis stands alone in its dark legacy, unmatched in the depth of brutality and hardship endured by its Black community. No other city in America bears such a harrowing history of mistreatment pain and discrimination of Black people. No Black Memphis scholars dare write about the horrendous untold "Black Memphis History." Such makes Whites uncomfortable. It Memphis the culture is to allow Blacks to remain uneducated that Whites uncomfortable.
It was on April 4, 1968 whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis whereas Dr. King was a victim of a "planned hit" whereas Memphis has a culture and practice that continues to "Hit Black Memphis."
The erasure of Black Memphis history, culture, and identity in Memphis is a deliberate act of harm, like a hit job, that leaves people vulnerable and disconnected. The lack recognition and inspiration becomes a form of violence.
The stark absence of a "Black Memphis history museum" along with the lack of documented "Black Memphis history," serves as a modern extension of the Willie Lynch theory, perpetuating a plantation mentality designed to oppress and erase the cultural identity of the Black community in Memphis.
At the time of this story in April of 2025 the paramount concern in Memphis is its practice and culture of "Black on Black Racism." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
Black leaders in Memphis are hesitate to champion Black Memphis history, fearing it might make white people uncomfortable. This reluctance stems from a deeply ingrained notion of subordination rather than equality. They choose silence over education, comfort over truth, and stagnation over progress. Yet, the true purpose of history is to embolden, educate, and inspire. Black history is American history, and its erasure and practice as it is done in Memphis is a disservice to all.
In the book "The Miseducation of the Negro" Dr. Woodson explains: "The thesis of Woodson's book is that Black people of his day were being culturally indoctrinated, rather than taught, in American schools.
This conditioning, he claims, causes Black people to become dependent and to seek out inferior places in the greater society of which they are a part. He challenges his readers to become autodidacts and to "do for themselves", regardless of what they were taught."
The Miseducation of the Negro Woodson explains how African Americans can feel out of place as they are indoctrinated to despise themselves within the educational system. He identifies how African Americans are often influenced to become a "good negro" in order to become successful, and this ideology urges them to downplay their "blackness" to advance socially, but being educated and moving up the social ladder does not eliminate one's blackness. This problem could possibly be avoided if African Americans had equal opportunity to learn about their culture and black history.
Unknown and untold in the City of Memphis exist "A planned strategy" and practice that not only suppress "Black Memphis History" there exists a culture and condition that exists in the Historic community of Orange Mound in Memphis that promotes a "Black Inferiority Complex."
Click here to listen to the Anthony "Amp" Elmore you tube video titled: "Black Man Refuse to be A Slave From Orange Mound Video."
In the Elmore song: 'Black Man Refuses to Be a Slave from Orange Mound,' the narrative challenges the traditional Eurocentric retelling of Memphis's origins. It asserts that the city's roots run deeper than the colonial narrative suggests, crediting Mansa Abubakari II and the presence of Africans long before Columbus. By refusing the imposed identity of slaves and embracing the history of Black pioneers, the video seeks to redefine the narrative on a foundation of empowerment and truth.
Elmore notes that the Black on Black racial injustice whereas Blacks demoralizing Blacks is of epidemic portions whereas Orange Mound the 1st Community in America built for Blacks by Blacks is the whipping boy of racial Black on Black indignity whereas positive stories are marginalized and negative stories are for Memphis Black political leaders "paternalism political opportunism."
Paternalism political opportunism manifests when leaders posture as concerned caretakers but fail to enact meaningful change. They seize moments of crisis to appear engaged, using keywords and rhetoric without addressing the root causes. The absence of efforts to enhance education, restore a junior high school in Orange Mound, or create economic opportunities like trade with Africa or filmmaking reveals the true intent: political gain at the community's expense. Without genuine efforts to uplift and empower, these leaders perpetuate a cycle of neglect and dependency.
Click here to see video titled: Tennessee Black Caucus Representative Hardaway Black on Black Racism
In stark contrast to the thriving Black film industry in Atlanta, in 2019 Memphis lawmakers lead by Tennessee State Representative G.A. Hardawayy including Tennessee State Senator Ramesh Akbari, advocated for an $18 million grant for the failed predominantly white-cast show 'Bluff City Law.' The Memphis Shelby County film Commission only support White Films and White Filmmakers is a sharp departure from Atlanta's Black filmmaking scene.
The story of Memphis is one of profound contradictions—a city that stands as the most populated Black city in America, yet suppresses its own Black history and cultural achievements. Anthony "Amp" Elmore's relentless fight against Memphis's entrenched White supremacy, systemic racism, and Black-on-Black racism is a testament to the resilience and determination required to preserve and honor Black history. Elmore's groundbreaking 1988 film, The Contemporary Gladiator, not only marked Memphis's first independent 35mm theatrical release but also made history as the world's first kickboxing film.
Despite this monumental achievement being "The 1st Kickboxing film in World Film History", Memphis has systematically obscured this legacy, denying its rightful place in the city's narrative. Through his creation of nearly 1,000 YouTube videos and the establishment of Memphis 1st digital Black Memphis History Museum, Elmore has single-handedly documented and preserved the rich yet neglected history of Black Memphis, a history that the city itself has failed to acknowledge.
Elmore notes April 4, 2025, is the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination—it is imperative to confront the betrayal of Dr. King's legacy in Memphis. While Atlanta celebrates Dr. King's life and achievements, Memphis remains fixated on his death, perpetuating a narrative of tragedy rather than triumph. The city's failure to establish a Black Memphis History Museum, coupled with its focus on institutions like the Cotton Museum, underscores a deliberate erasure of Black contributions and a refusal to celebrate Black excellence.
The tragic story of Tyree Nichols, a young Black man killed by five Black Memphis police officers, further highlights the pervasive issue of Black-on-Black racism that plagues the city. This betrayal of Dr. King's dream by both White and Black leaders in Memphis is a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done.
Elmore's efforts to honor Dr. King's legacy and fight for justice echo the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, who urged us to "get into good trouble." His unwavering commitment to documenting and preserving Black Memphis History serves as a call to action for the city to confront its past and embrace a future that celebrates the achievements and contributions of its Black community.
Elmore notes; Memphis must rise above its culture of suppression and division to honor the true spirit of Dr. King's dream—a dream of equality, unity, and progress. The time for change is now, and the responsibility lies with all of us to ensure that Black History History is no longer obscured but celebrated as a cornerstone of its identity.
The Orange Mound News Network (OMNN). Founded by Anthony Amp Elmore, OMNN aims to reclaim and reshape the narrative of Orange Mound through the power of filmmaking, education, and content creation. Our goal is to challenge the negative stereotypes and biased portrayals that have long plagued our community, creating a positive space for family, Black culture, history, and education.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by https://www.24-7pressrelease.com