Originally Posted by giovanni_hotel
ELvis was no racist; in that there is no shred of historical or anecdotal evidence that he believed Black people were inferior to White people based on the color of their skin.
The problem a lot of Black people can't help having with Mr. Presley is that he was annointed the King of Rock and Roll by performing Black music to white kids in the late 1950s and 60s.
Many Black artists from that period didn't have the opportunities to perform their own music to large white audiences, while Elvis and his producers were able to re-package that Black 'juke-house' blues/country sound into an acceptable White All American sex symbol and make millions.
Remember, when Elvis first started out, he caught hell for being too Black in his style and presentation.
When Elvis was in HS, in Memphis, most of his free time was spent socializing with Black performers and musicians.
Sure, he later developed his own style, but to call the man the King of Rock and Roll when he was merely performing music originated and innovated by others is a travesty.
But to call him a racist, from everything I've seen and read of him, is flawed.
He surrounded himself with Black folks, and was very Black friendy in his private and professional life.
How many 'racists' record songs like "In The Ghetto"?
The Black gospel group, the Sweet Inspirations, were Elvis's backup singers in the 1970s.
There is understandable resentment towards Elvis by many Black people, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him racist.