Was Elvis a racist?

[Ringoid]

I've heard this rumour and want to know whether there is any truth behind it.

[Sooper]

Chuck D from Public Enemy also states that Elvis was a racist in the song "Fight the Power" small extract below, he doesnt back it up with any facts but he says it none the less, its a cracking tune!

"Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant Sugar to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Mother flump him and John Wayne
Cause I'm Black and I'm proud"

[netibiza]

Racist when he loved and copied Gospel music, I think not!

[dave50]

Does it matter? He's dead. Get over it & move on. Some people are obsessed with racism.

[tamborine]

the quote is a pack of lies: "1) At this time in 1957, Elvis had never been to Boston, nor had he ever been interviewed on CBS, by Edward R. Murrow or anyone else"

[magicbeatle]

No! Elvis was certainly not a rascist! In fact, he loved Black people and embraced their music from a young age. He used to go down to Beale Street when he was a kid and hang out listening to all the Black Blues singers. He bought his clothes from Lansky brothers who sold clothes for mainly coloured people. He wanted to dress like them and was ridiculed and bullied at school because of it. He knocked the Racial barriers down, after which Black people could enter the mainstream charts. He had lots of Famous Black Friends including Chuck Berry (who called Elvis his brother) and Sammy Davies Jnr. He once said 'there is enough room in this business for everyone'. He was upset about the killing of Martin Luthor King in his hometown and legend has it that was why he ended his 1968 comeback special with 'If I can Dream'. Martin Luthor Kings famous speech was 'I have a dream'. Go on youtube and type in 'Elvis If I can dream' and listen to the words. Lets not forget 'In The Ghetto'. Theres a Famous story of Elvis seeing a Black woman looking in a car showroom and envying a certain car. Elvis went in and bought it for her. Another Famous Black musician (cant remember who) once said that Elvis was the first colour blind person he'd ever met. I have read dozens of interviews with black people who knew or met Elvis over the years, and they all say the same. He was a nice person. Which is one of the reasons i think his popularity has lasted so long.