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foone · 10 months

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Your best guess is that you've been in this time loop for something north of 15 years. You've lived that day, April 9th, 1997, something like 6000 times. You think... The second most ironic thing about being in this time loop* is that you have ADHD, and time blindness has always been something you've suffered with.

The time loop hasn't helped. You'll really get into a book, and don't look up from it until it's yesterday. Or, earlier today? Or tomorrow, it's all the same day. You wake up in your bed at 8:27, having slept through your alarm, no matter what happens. You've had plenty of time to do all the classic time loop things: told everyone (they forget the next day), kissed everyone (a surprising number of people turn out to be up for itl), tried to run (you made it all the way to Memphis one day, but it didn't make any difference), tried to make everything perfect and right (harder than you'd think, and there's nothing obvious that needs fixing), and gotten yourself exploded and shot and run over. You even made it into orbit once, NASA still swearing at you on the radio the whole way up. You've robbed all the local banks, kidnapped the mayor, and stolen half the stuff in the town, just to see what people have. Why not? It's hard to have a sense of morality when there are no repercussions to any actions, at least none that last more than 24 hours.

You convinced a scientist to shoot neutrinos at you once, thanks to something you'd read in a book on time. Didn't seem to make any difference, though you could swear the next day felt different, in some hard to define way.

You've gotten into a rhythm of starting each day and just walking out your front door, to visit a different place in the city, and knock on their door. If they're home, you ask questions, then use the answers next time to get further. If not, you let yourself in and see what their house looks like from the inside.

Even their shocking crimes no longer can shock you. Mr. Stevens is a burgler, Jenny J. is halfway through murdering her husband, Alex over on 5th street has a basement full of photos they shouldn't have, and more neighbors than you'd think are cooking meth or growing cannabis in their little backyard sheds or closets.

You can go to the police, you can confront them, you can explose them, or you can get a weapon and go all vigilante on them... It doesn't matter in the long run (and for you, the long run is very short indeed). They'll be fine the next morning, back at it again like nothing happened.

You wake up that same Wednesday morning, put on some clothes, and walk out the door. You got into a gimmick of crossing the road with your eyes closed: you know where the cars are, and if you keep the same pace, they definitely won't hit you. Besides, if you do, you wake up back in your bed. Big woop.

But you don't make it to the road this time. You trip, falling on the hard concrete of the sidewalk. What the hell? Your arms ache from catching yourself, and you have to suppress the time-looper instinct of "I hurt. Restart the loop!",at least until you figure out what happened.

You look back and there's a sneaker sitting on the sidewalk. A perfectly normal shoe, just a little skuffed up. A bit down the sidewalk, there's another, the other foot presumably.

You have a moment of equal parts panic and elation. You're out of the loop? You're out of the loop! This might be Thursday.

You gather yourself from the sidewalk and run back up the path to your door. You open the newspaper... April 9th. This is still the same day. You look back at the road, seeing the patterns of crossing cars you've seen thousands of times before. You listen, and your neighborhood sounds right. You can hear Timothy down the road yelling about baseball, so it's not 9:14 yet.

This isn't a new day. This is the day. This is your day. So why is something different? What, a partial time loop? And almost time loop? Most things are the same, but not all? It makes no sense.

You hear yelling down the road. You jog towards it, as an out of place sound just doesn't happen in your day. Around the corner there's a police officer shouting at a woman who is rapidly disrobing and flinging her discarded clothes at the officer, who is shouting at her and his radio. So far, she seems to be winning, but she's about out of linen ammunition.

You realize you don't recognize her. She's not one of the people you know, and you know everyone. She's someone new, the very anthesis of what a time loop is about. That, combined with recognizing that charicatistic disdain for consequences makes you gasp. My God... She's another time looper. She's done this day before, and it's just repeated, and now she's doing everything to see what happens. You're not alone in this crowded city anymore! You run towards her, eager to introduce yourself.

* Themost ironic thing about being in this time loop is that every copy of Groundhog Day at your local Blockbuster is checked out.

#Time loop #my writing

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puffitale · 2 years

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My villain origin story is being bullied at school for being the only weird girl in a small country town.

My vengence is knowing that I’m the only person on the Central Coast that travels enough into Sydney to casually drop that I’m from ‘the country originally’ whenever anyone asks where I’m from on a museum tours.

Slowly, but surely, I will spread my evil and make Sydneysiders and Coasties think it’s absurd for a town in the Central West of New South Wales to hold an Elvis festival when they have no relationship with Elvis except some very bored fans.

#Parkes #and yes it’s fucking dumb to have an Elvis statue in the park named after the first mayor of the town #my hometown has Memphis syndrome #who do they think I am Justin Timberlake?#puffitale remembers shit

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decolonize-the-left · 1 year

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I was wondering how accurate this was so I did some fun googling and yall.

So starting with the fact that police in the USA were formed when Dems had Congress and Senate and the same was true when the first organized police department was founded (in Boston, btw)....

1963. Dems had Senate and Congress.

While this allowed for huge strides in civil rights police brutality still continued to be largely unaddressed.

1966. Dems had Senate and Congress.

To point out further racial oppression James Meredith starts a 270 mile walk from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MI. He's shot by a sniper the second day which causes an influx in support from allies & prominent civil rights members (such as MLK) who fly out and walk in his stead.

Governor Johnson (d) of Mississippi, who ran on a segregationist platform but changed platforms when he saw that Black people were gaining more supporters, promises to protect marchers as they pass through his state. Police then tear gas them as they were setting up tents for the night in Canton, MI (pictured). 15k show up to Jackson. It's the biggest march in MI history and more successful than Meredith had planned.

No bills were introduced that year.

1956-1979 Dems had senate & Congress.

In 1961-69 they even had a governmental trifecta with Congress, Senate, and the presidency and again in 1977-79. The director of the FBI at the time was Republican J. Edgar Hoover. Head of Intelligence was Democrat William Sullivan. Attorney General & democrat Robert F. Kennedy authorized several programs for them such as wire-tapping MLK.

1968. Dems had Senate, Congress, and presidency.

President Lyndon Johnson (Democrat president while Dems had Congress & Senate) signs the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, birthing the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration & granting federal funds to local governments in order to obtain military resources to quell potential riots. A direct response to the protests and riots throughout the 50's & 60's. Protecting police from protesters.

Democrats do this instead of protecting the public from police and their prejudice.

1992. Dems have both Senate and Congress.

After the verdict of the 4 police who beat Rodney King on camera is announced & they are Not indicted the public starts rioting. The national guard, fire department, and several police departments are called in by then democratic mayor Tom Brady. After the riots a separate federal trial is held and finds 2 of the 4 officers guilty. All were fired from LAPD.

The Police Brutality Accountability Act of 1991 is introduced. Only introduced.

1994. House & Senate under dem control.

They pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act instead. It's drafted by democrat Joe Biden and sponsored by Texas Rep Brooks (D). It's an infamously harmful bill that results in the prejudiced mass incarceration of minorities, especially Black people. This bill funded police departments instead of holding them accountable aiding their further militarization as well.

2020. Dems have both Congress & Senate.

Which brings us to recent times. Where Democrats have again pretended to support and listen to the public demands to decrease/eliminate police brutality only to turn around and insist protests are the reason they keep funding the police instead of giving us rights.

"See? You're too dangerous to Not have a militarized police force."

As if we aren't protesting because the police are already too dangerous. Like that's not what started all this.

At this point a pattern like this can only be seen as intentional. A planned out excuse for funding police again and again and again instead of Stopping police brutality. Instead of enforcing or creating ACTUAL effective reform or regulations. They just keep throwing money at police departments and saying "hey here are billions of dollars that we want you to use to be less violent racists. It's also to help you be more safe when facing the people who are protesting your racist violence. Also we aren't gonna make sure you actually become less violent or less racist but we definitely hope you don't use this all this money to get worse."

Which has backfired across decades at this point. They keep doing investigations and making committees and for what?

We've done that. We know police are racist. We know they're violent. We know they're only spending enough to say they provide 6 months (if that) of sensitivity training and spending the bulk of that money on militarization gear. So what. We know that.

Now what.

What, after 100+ years could their excuse possibly be for STILL doing the same thing. For STILL not addressing it. For STILL not passing reform despite the MANY opportunities they've had? What could police departments Possibly be doing for them?? What excuse could be good enough?

I'm glad you asked.

There isn't one. There are answers of course. Greed, power, privilege, etc. The list goes on.

But are they good enough for you? They're not for me.

I have to beg on Tumblr just for my rent to get paid or for my kid to have dinner sometimes. The success of Democrats or my "country" doesn't mean shit to me, it does nothing for me. It only does things to me. Success enables police, it increases funding, it makes them More afraid of having their ideas of success taken from them, makes them more protective of their status quo. Their success hurts me. Fuck their success.

What matters is that time and time again Democrats have insisted they'd be there for minorities and then empowered the people oppressing, killing, and suppressing us and our rights.

What matters is that time and time again they've said they're powerless and their supporters insist they just don't have a majority to do anything with or that republicans keep blocking them or-

But passing bills to harm us? That's easy. And they don't Have to keep doing that. They just keep saying they do... To protect police. And they only keep "needing" more protection for police because they refuse to give us any. We continue to express our right to protest and they continue to try intimidating us out of it.

All the rights we have? They didn't give to us. Look at those posts. We fought for them while Democrats were in charge. They didn't give us those, they didn't stand with us. They still don't. They stand with the police as they always have.

August 2022.

For hundreds of years we've dealt with this. How much longer is it gonna be. How many more generations are going to have to put up with this government trying to insist that mediocrity is the best they can do indefinitely?

And if you still refuse to hold Democrats responsible, if you still find yourself compulsively trying to point out all the ways that Republicans are worse please know this: I know.

I know you're going to say "well Democrats are our best shot"

And to that I say if this is our best fucking shot....and they're *gestures vaguely at the post* like that.... Can we agree that it points to a much wider issue. If Democrats are our best shot and they're Only this effective and they're only making the most Minimal effort possible year after year. If we Know that their hands are tied by Republicans at best and at worst theyre fascists benefitting from the exploitation of BIPOC and other marginalized communities....

Can we admit that our systems are broken. That it goes further than Republicans or Democrats being bad. That it's Everything? That even if Democrats were actually perfect that everything would still be wrong and fucked up because the system itself holds them from making any effectual change?

That the checks and balances that the founding fathers put in place to make sure that our politicians are fair and just and give a shit about the people they serve aren't working.

Because if they were why would it take HUNDREDS of years for a community to get one thing. Just stop police brutality. That's all we asked. That's it. Stop hurting everyone who isn't a white cis man. Stop killing us in broad daylight for demanding you give us rights and respect the ones we Already have.

So why are we still starting 2023 with brutality making headlines?

If a government is effective and cares and listens and it's representives Truly represent it's constituents and fight for them and it's not just about profit or greed or winning elections or keeping minorities in line then why are we still here?

Why are we still asking for the same rights as our great-great-great-great grandparents?

If that progress? Is that success?

What the fuck are we doing. Like actually. How do we throw a wrench in this system. What will it take for Democrats and liberals and You to realize that all we are doing is driving the future into the hands of fascism.

What do we do? When do we finally do something?

°•°•°•°•°•°•°

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#idk what i thought i was gonna find but it wasn't a pattern of behavior stretching all the way back to the founding of police in the USA #democrats #liberals #progressives #protests #human rights #yeah this is about police brutality but also ableism and classism and poverty and everything else

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taraross-1787 · 11 days

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This Day in History: Memphis Belle

On this day in 1943, a B-17 Flying Fortress completes its 25th combat mission without losing a member of its crew. Memphis Belle would return to the United States, embark on a war bond tour, and become one of the most famous bombers to emerge from World War II.

She was nearly sold for scrap metal after the war, but Memphis mayor Walter Chandler saved her for $350. Today, she’s been refurbished and sits at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Memphis Belle’s survival was no small feat.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-memphis-belle

#tdih #otd #this day in history #history #history blog #America #world war ii #wwii #sharethehistory

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flwersgarden · 1 year

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I NEED MORE LITTLE!READER AND DADDY!ELVIS PLEASE

please it’s just so cute and makes me so happy i need more😭

note: DADDY!ELVIS WITH LITTLE!READER COMING RIGHT UPPP!!!

you aren't the best at socializing and you knew that perfectly. you thank destiny everyday for elvis understanding that and still being infatuated about you despite the fact you were quite an awkward person.

he loves that about you as he likes his privacy; some of his past girls would get upset that he would be 'hiding' them from the public eye but he felt relieved and assured when you said you liked being his little secret as you could imagine the danger you could go through if the public knew about you being his girlfriend.

you loved your private life as well so you respected elvis' choice of not showing you like a trophy to the press. also, because you trusted him.

but there would be times where it wasn't in his power to choose.

today was one of those days.

elvis told you last week that he was going to meet the new city president of memphis, his hometown, and that he wanted to see if you wanted to go.

you said no, that you appreciated the thought of him thinking of sharing that with you, but you didn't wanted to mess up anything by being weird. elvis reassured you that you could never ruin anything but ultimately understood where you were coming from so he just kissed your forehead and continue to watch some tv with you.

but last night, elvis ended his call with the colonel quite upset. the slamming of the phone to the wall was enough for you to hear to understand the colonel did, again, something again elvis' wishes.

you stood up from the bed, where you were reading; leaving your book in the small night stand he bought you, walking to him. immediately your arms held him, caressing his arms as you looked through your lashes to his puffing nose and thin lips.

“ elvis? ”

he seemed to calm down at the sound of your voice, as if it was the only thing holding him on earth. looking at you, he sighed, grabbing your arms and caressing them just like you were doing to him.

“ 'm sorry doll, didn't mean for you to see that. ”

you knew how elvis felt emotions with a strong passion so you just shook your head, leading him to bed. “ it's okay. ”

you both sat in the comfortable mattress. a moment passed before he spoke again. “ remember how i told you i was gonna meet the governor tomorrow? ” his southern accent really present.

you nodded. “ did the colonel canceled? ” you asked, knowing you wouldn't be surprised if he did.

but to your relief, knowing how elvis was quite excited of going to his hometown again, he shook his head. “ no. ”

“ but. ”

you raised your eyebrows a bit.

“ he says i have to bring you with me. ”

he looks up at you, his eyes traveling from your lap to your eyes, watching your expression.

you, on the other hand, try to show an stoic less face, not wanting to worry him. “ oh... okay. ” you shrugged at the end.

“ no, it's not okay. are you comfortable with it, baby? ” he grabbed your hand, kissing your knuckles with feathery kisses.

you nodded. “ i mean. did the colonel told you why? ”

he rolled his eyes, scoffing at the mere mention of the man he hated in that moment. “ said the city mayor wanted to meet you. ”

you sigh.

the press couldn't really mind their own business.

“ okay. ” you whisper, kissing his cheek as you smile. “ i'll go. ”

elvis smiled, knowing how this is a big step for your relationship with him.

your first ever public appearance as a couple. what could go wrong?

️️ ️️️️️️️️️

so everything can go wrong apparently.

first, you woke up feeling little. some small tears appeared in your eyes when you felt very suffocated by the small space elvis' body hugging yours left. at the sound of the first sob, elvis quickly woke up, cooing at you and kissing you; with his eyes half closed as he was still quite sleepy.

“ daddy, i'm sowwy. ” you sobbed, shaking your head, feeling guilty for waking him up; knowing how little sleep he gets nowadays.

“ no, babydoll, i's fine, i was about to wake up anyway. ” lie.

you sob again, hugging him with all the strength little you could muster.

elvis looked at the clock and sighed in relief when he realized the both of you were five hours early to the meeting.

he did everything he could to stand up with you on his hip, hiccups leaving your mouth as the sobs started to dissappear. he left you sitting on the bathtub, playing with some rubber ducks, while he showered. then he brushed your and his teeth (as you stubbornly didn't want to be independent at the moment, he sighed as he brushed your teeth while you kicked your feet in glee), dressed up and, finally, the both of you exited the beverly hills house with just a bag on elvis' hand as the other grabbed yours while you stayed quite behind, fear creeping in your body.

you knew what you were about to face.

people. meeting new people.

knowing new people. having to talk to new people.

and in little space.

as the car doors closed when you and elvis entered, you quickly hugged him for comfort. he surrounded your figure with his arms, kissing your head as he smiled.

“ my babydoll. ”

now you felt a little bit more calm.

️️ ️️️️️️️️️

you were quickly awake when the loud sound of a door closing, jumping a bit; realizing you were now inside elvis' private plane.

“ dammit scotty. ” elvis' stern voice made an appearance.

“ sorry, boss. ” a voice sheepishly responded before the sound of someone sitting down was heard.

you sat up, on elvis' lap, while he looked at you. “ you good, doll? ” he asked with such a softness you could think he was talking to a small puppy.

you nodded, rubbing your eye with the back of your hand, yawning.

elvis laughed, in endearment. you were just so cute.

you then rested your head in the crook of his neck, trying to get comfortable.

“ we're gonna be there in an hour. ” someone told elvis, you figured jerry.

you visibly shook up, the anxiety of meeting someone new creeping in.

elvis quickly rubbed his hand on your thigh, in a comforting manner as he brought his lips closer to your ear.

“ it will all be over quick. next thing you know, we're on Graceland cuddling. ”

you smiled with your eyes closed being lulled to sleep again thanks to elvis' warmth.

️️ ️️️️️️️️️

elvis woke you up an hour later, shaking you gently so he could stand up with you by his side. you were quite glad that the hat covered your messy hair.

he crouched in front of you, you were still sitting, kissing your hands as he held them in your lap. “ baby, i need you to do something fo' me. ”

you looked at him with doe eyes, interested in what he had to say.

“ can you act like my big girl for the meeting? ”

now, you weren't offended by this.

elvis and you had already put some limits to the relationship; obviously feeling comfortable already with each other, and one of the things you told elvis was that you trusted him enough for you to act big if he was bothered by you being little.

he told you he wouldn't do that to you, his face kind of sad when he said it but you denied bad intentions towards it. you said you understood the mockery of your safe space, the laughs that everyone would give you and the pointing of fingers. you didn't wanted to be made a joke.

elvis understood. and agreed.

“ yeah, daddy. ” little you nodded with enthusiasm, trying to show him you can be a big girl.

he smiled, standing up.

“ daddy. ” you grabbed his hand. elvis stopped on track before turning. “ i look... pwetty? ” you shyly ask, fidgeting with the sleeve of his suit. he just smiled, coming closer to you, hunching before kissing your pouty lips.

“ you are the prettiest girl i've ever seen. i swear it on heaven. ”

you smiled, the kind of smile that reminded elvis there was a god.

soon, the both of you stepped out the jet. flashes immediately hit your eyes making you flinch, covering yourself behind elvis.

“ okay folks, coming through. ” jerry's authoritarian voice made some photographers to have a bit of respect and stop taking pictures, instead greeting you and elvis. fans screams could be heard.

elvis raised his hand in a greeting manner towards them making the screams, somehow, go louder.

it felt like hours passed trying to go through that for a you before entering another plane.

you looked around, noticing the american design on it, quite astonished at the amount of expensive things you could see.

“ mr. presley. ” a voice interrupted your train of thought making you jump slightly, turning your head just as elvis turned his with the movie star smiled he managed to have.

“ governor, sir. ” he respectfully said before shaking his hand with his free one. “ an honor to meet you, sir. ”

“ the honor is mine. ”

you could catch a glimpse of the older, tall man, he looked exactly as you would expect a politician to look.

but you jumped back a little when suddenly his eyes were on you.

“ hello. nice to meet you. ” he bowed his head a bit, looking straight at you.

okay, big moment.

“ hello. ” your soft voice ringed through the air while you stretched your hand as you saw your daddy do.

the governor smiled, shaking your hand. “ such a pleasure to meet you... ” he trailed off.

your eyes widened, “ oh! ” shaking your head. “ y/n, sir. ” you said while laughing.

he laughed, elvis behind you chuckling while his back faintly touched your back.

soon, the governor let the both of you go for a moment when his assistant called to him.

elvis turned to look at you, suddenly grabbing your cheeks and pulling you to a kiss.

he didn't want to ruin your makeup so the kiss ended more quickly than you wanted, your whine showing exactly that.

he chuckled, his thumb tracing the outline of your bottom lip.

“ you made daddy so proud, big girl. ”

your eyes twinkled at the praise, giggling as you blushed, hiding your face in his arm on a hug. he returned the affection immediately, smiling in your hair as he cooed at you.

he was going to protect you, because he was your daddy and you were his little princess.

#request 🤍#elvis x reader #elvis presley x reader #elvis presley imagine #elvis presley x you #elvis presley x y/n #elvis x y/n #elvis x you

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memphisfoodnotbombs · 8 months

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In this video, the Memphis chapter of Food Not Bombs faces harassment from the Blue Suede Brigade (BSB), a seemingly subservient apparatus of the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC). BSB targeted and disrupted our compassionate service under the pretense of requiring a permit for sharing food in a public park. This incident occurred during a picnic at Court Square Park on Saturday, 10/14/2023, at approximately 2:05 pm.

The DMC, a business entity supposedly responsible for governing residential and business areas in downtown Memphis, receives public funding based on property value assessments and utilizes the BSB as the “eyes and ears of the business community.”

The requirement of a permit to offer a basic necessity further highlights the systemic injustice endured by our community.

This incident is not isolated but represents an ongoing problem concerning the DMC. We have attempted to engage with the DMC and elicit a plausible explanation for their legal authority to impose permit requirements on non-vendors in a public space. Despite sending a letter to the DMC over 11 weeks ago, their response has been evasive and unsatisfactory.

Memphis mayor-elect Paul Young, President/CEO of the DMC, vaguely suggested that the issue would be addressed internally through comments on our social media pages. Why then was the Blue Suede Brigade officer unaware of this supposed resolution?

The persistent harassment we face is a direct result of the DMC's failure to provide a satisfactory answer to our legitimate question: "We ask the Downtown Memphis Commission to immediately clarify its legal authority to require and issue permits to non-vendors."

When will the DMC cite its legal authority?

The recent harassment exposes the negligence and indifference of the DMC towards addressing the legitimate concerns we have raised. We question the DMC's reluctance to cite their legal authority and establish a justifiable basis for impeding acts of compassion and the sharing of food in public parks.

During the incident, one of the individuals seeking food assistance was a homeless veteran who had not eaten in over 24 hours. Another unhoused person recounted being denied access to local shelters due to not possessing the "proper" identification simply because they hailed from another state. These stories reflect the dire situations faced by the unhoused population in Memphis while exposing the failure of the existing system to meet their basic needs.

Unhoused individuals are our neighbors. It is our collective responsibility to support and uplift them, rather than subjecting them to further harm and exclusion. It is not a crime to extend a helping hand, enjoy a picnic in a public park, or share food with those in need. Compassion and solidarity should never be trumped by bureaucratic restrictions.

The Memphis Flyer

We invite you to read our open letter to the DMC for further details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19xCJbdgkjPBVw-r6oC_m9tuNPfIVixHFAz-KlX0MZ9E/edit?usp=sharing

Find more videos, press articles, links to socials and information in our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/memphisfoodnotbombs

Link to this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MNxS11bK87c?si=8bzqe2du6ZpECWfg

The requirement of a permit to offer a basic necessity further highlights the systemic injustice endured by our community.

When will the DMC cite its legal authority?

No one needs permission to share the gift of compassion. Food is not a privilege but a fundamental human right that must be secured for all individuals.

We invite you to read our open letter to the DMC for further details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19xCJbdgkjPBVw-r6oC_m9tuNPfIVixHFAz-KlX0MZ9E/edit?usp=sharing

Find more videos, press articles, links to socials and information in our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/memphisfoodnotbombs

Link to this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MNxS11bK87c?si=8bzqe2du6ZpECWfg

#FoodNotPermits #FoodNotBombs #FoodNotBombsMemphis #MemphisFoodNotBombs #PermitPaul #PaulYoung #Memphis #MemphisTennessee #MayorOfMemphis #MemphisTN #PleaseShare #DowntownMemphis #DowntownMemphisCommission #BlueSuede #BlueSuedeBrigade #FoodIsARight #FoodIsAHumanRight #Love #Compassion

#food not bombs #foodnotbombs #anarchism #anarchy #food is a human right #foodisaright #anarchist #vegan #lgbtq #food not permits #foodnotpermits

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memphistn · 1 year

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On May 8th 1925, despite not knowing how to swim, Tom Lee helped save the lives of 32 passengers who were swept under the notoriously dangerous Mississippi River by a sinking steamboat. After seeing the boat capsize, Lee, who was a river worker and at the time on his way back to Memphis after his route, immediately steered his boat named "Zev" to the wreckage. He risked his life, piling the men, women, and children into his boat before driving them back to shore and returning to the scene to rescue more. After his 4th trip back to the sandbar, he even built a fire from driftwood for the rescued folk to warm themselves by. Even after authorities came in large rescue boats to seek possible survivors, Lee still stayed behind in his Zev till morning searching for bodies. Lee eventually was recognized for his heroic acts. He was brought to meet the mayor, the president, and photographed beside his famous Zev. Described as bashful and shy, Lee only asked for one thing in return: a house. A campaign raising donations was able to afford him a brick house that still stands on 923 N Mansfield. For a short while there was a segregated "blacks only" swimming pool named after him. In 1952 Memphis created a granite obelisk in honor of him, with a plaque that read "A very worthy negro", a stark reminder of the dehumanization black americans experience. Luckily in 2003 it was replaced with a bronze sculpture of Lee pulling a passenger onto his Zev. This remains a much more respectful and deserving monument to the Memphis hero. As well as the still standing Tom Lee park. In 1952 he died from cancer, and his resting site is at Mt. Caramel Cemetery where his head stone reads "Lead me in the path of peace"

main source

#Memphis #black history #african america history #tom lee #memphis news #memphis tn #history #southern history #mississippi #mississippi river

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soberscientistlife · 5 months

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One year after Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by five Memphis Police officers, the U.S. Justice Department calls for mayors and police chiefs to assess whether such specialized units are even necessary to solve community problems.

Change has to begin NOW!!

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yourwizardofaus · 8 months

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150 people attended the mayor's office in Memphis on Tuesday 17th December 1963 as Elvis hands over 55,000 Christmas cheques benefitting 58 Memphis & Mid-South charities. The organisations showed their appreciation by presenting Elvis with a special plaque.

#Elvis #Elvis Presley #Memphis #1963 #1960s #60s #sixties #nostalgia

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pxnsneverland · 1 year

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Beauty and the Boss | austin!elvis x oc (part 6)

plot summary: Laura Jean Walker is the daughter to Louisiana’s most powerful mafia boss, but to her, he’s just her jail warden. When she sneaks out to the Louisiana Hayride with her friend she sees Elvis Presley perform and instantly knows something is special about this boy. Especially when he saves her from being assaulted by a townie. She thinks she’s on cloud 9 until she gets kidnapped in the middle of the night by the Memphis Mafia led by Elvis himself. Will Laura Jean try to free herself or will something hold her back from finding her way home?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

pairings: austin!elvis x oc

word count: 2169

warnings/notes: I said I would try to make another part by the end of the week and I was actually able to keep my promise! I'm glad I finally got to his part because this is my favorite scene in the movie to adapting it to my story was fun :) warning: some police brutality

Chapter 6

The following day was the Russwood Park benefit performance. 10,000 people, perhaps more, crammed onto the baseball field to witness Elvis perform. Meanwhile, Elvis, I, Colonel, Gladys, and several Memphis Mafia members were traveling in two automobiles towards the location. Elvis, Colonel, and I were in the rear of the first car, which had two cops in the front. Colonel was opposed to me riding with Elvis, but Elvis persisted. I began to suspect it was more for his protection than mine. He appeared more apprehensive than ever for this performance after our night out at Club Handy. I knew he had something planned, but even I was unsure what it was. Elvis sat next to me, his eyes downcast, periodically staring out the car window while gripping my hand. I could see the Colonel frowning at me from time to time. My reactionary glance tempted him to say something about Elvis and me since I would have welcomed an opportunity to tell him how I felt about him.

As soon as we arrived to Russwood Park, the commotion erupted, as it usually did. Fans flocked to the car, with one even jumping on the hood before sliding down so she didn't get entirely run over. When the automobile slowly made its way through the gates to the field, cameras flashed and hands beat on the doors and windows.

Colonel broke the stillness in the car by saying to Elvis, “The mayor loved you on Steve Allen. All the important people did.” Elvis didn't turn to face him, but his grasp on my hand strengthened, and I gripped it back, placing my other hand on top of his. “What song are you going to sing tonight?” Colonel asked.

Elvis looked up at that point. “I’ve made no decision. I’ll feel it.”

I swallowed the knot that had formed in my throat. I assured Elvis that I would stand by him no matter what, even if it meant going against the Colonel and everyone else who wanted him to stop being himself. It didn't mean I wasn't terrified for him. With his black Beale Street suit, red tie, and eye makeup I did on him before leaving Graceland, he definitely looked like the old Elvis tonight. The car passed through the gate with the car behind us, with the rest of our company close after. I looked back as security locked the gates and attempted to halt the mob from scaling the walls. When we approached the stage, there were guards and cops everywhere, as if it were an execution trial rather than a concert. Everyone who wasn't a guard had a camera pointed towards the automobile, trying to capture that money moment. I had to hide my eyes from the harsh light.

“Pay no mind to all the cameras,” Colonel comforted, “Those are our friends in the vice squad. They don’t mean nothing. Ain’t that right, chief?”

The police chief swung around, disregarding Colonel, and staring directly at Elvis. “As long as you don’t so much as wiggle a finger.”

I locked my gaze on him. “Your wife must find you a ball of fun.”

“Does your Daddy know the kind of people you associate with, little girl?”

“You mean people with more manners than the chief of law enforcement around these parts? Yes, sir, he sure does.”

It was now his turn to frown at me. “Watch yourself, girly.”

Elvis gave me a little smile from the corner of my eye. Colonel rushed Elvis and me out of the vehicle before any more sneaky insults could be exchanged. The only individuals who didn't appear to be pleased to meet Elvis were the cops who stood in a line on both sides of us as we went. When we came closer, a member of Elvis' band gave him his guitar.

“Oh, yes, sir, good people!” said the emcee via the microphone, “A big thank you to Shorty Morgan’s Dixie Dolls! But I know some young people are very excited about this next act!”

Elvis draped his guitar strap across his back. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I want you in the front row. I wanna be able to see you.”

I nodded as I was dragged away by someone who pushed through the crowd until I was front and center on the 'White People' side, directly in front of the stage. As an ardent admirer pressed me in the back, I bit on my thumb nail, groaning. I was sweating profusely because I was so frightened. I offered a little prayer to God, pleading with him to let Elvis be alright. Gladys was caressing his face and whispering something in his ear when I discovered him on the side of the stage. He pointed to the front of the stage, obviously indicating where I was because I wasn't with her as usual.

“Elvis Presley!” exclaimed the emcee to the delight of the audience. Colonel shouted something to Elvis right before he stepped onstage, and I saw Elvis' forehead wrinkle in irritation. Elvis took his place on the stage. He had a strong, determined expression on his face. I'd only seen him wear it while he was doing mafia business. That was a commanding expression. That encouraged the audience while making me believe that the night's events had only just begun. His gaze scanned the throng until he spotted me. That reminded me of that first night at the Louisiana Hayride, when I was lost in the tide pools of his eyes, entranced by him. I blew him a kiss and nodded, which appeared to be all the assurance he needed as he approached the microphone.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the new Elvis,” Elvis stated. The audience booed, not hesitant to express their displeasure with the Elvis society desired. “And of course, that other guy.” He raised his finger and wiggled it in the air while singing "Hound Dog." I laughed and grinned. This was my Elvis, the rebel, the boy who didn't have to be anything other than himself in order to be loved. I wished I could see the chief's expression from where I was.

“There’s a lot of people saying a lot of things,” he said, “Of course…you gotta listen to the people that you love.” He returned his gaze to the crowd after a quick glance at the Colonel. “But in the end…” He tracked me down again. “…you gotta listen to yourself.” While the crowd applauded, I smiled even brighter at him. “So, I want you to know those New York people ain’t gonna change me none.” He removed his instrument and spoke something to his band that made them smile. “I’m gonna show you what the real Elvis is like tonight!”

The band played the initial chords of “Trouble” and Elvis began to sing. He was more at ease and unconcerned than I had seen him since the Steve Allen performance. His body began to move as he felt the music go through him, and the audience went crazy, pressing against the security line to get closer to Elvis. I could see the Dixie Dolls struggling to get onto the stage, reaching for the man who was just out of reach. He suddenly let out a note and sank on his knees in front of me, singing directly to me. While the females around me clutched onto his jacket, he leaned out and grasped my face in one of his hands. He pressed a kiss on my lips without warning, and I sucked in a breath muffled by his mouth on mine. Yeah, I'd kissed other boys before, but nothing like this. For a split second, nothing could be heard except Elvis's breath mingled with mine. My heart was racing so rapidly that I thought I was going to pass out. Then he smiled and walked away, returning to his song with a wink. I could feel the envious stares, but I didn't mind. I couldn't take my gaze away from the mafia gangster who had captured my heart while I wasn't even looking.

The sound of shouts jolted me out of my trance. I cast a glance behind me. The barrier dividing the white and black youths had been broken down, and they were beginning to blend together while dancing and singing to the music. It sparked a commotion among the cops who were attempting to separate them once more. As batons were drawn and people were struck, there was yelling and screaming. While the commotion erupted, Elvis continued to play, crawling across the platform and nearly shouting into the microphone. I was trapped between the stage and the crowd, unable to move to escape the turmoil that was becoming worse by the second. Elvis had fallen to the ground, his jacket thrown away, soaking in the affection of his supporters who had been holding him aloft in the air. He was able to return to the stage and finish the song. Colonel attracted my attention from beneath the stage. He seemed disturbed and dissatisfied, and if I hadn't been striving to liberate myself, I would have been happier.

Officers stormed the stage, yanking Elvis off the ground. He threw down the mic and began shoving and cursing at them. Even his band was arguing with the authorities, pleading with them to let him go. I grabbed a wire and dragged myself out of the crowd and onto the stage. I didn't even think twice about it as I dashed up to Elvis, who was shoving up against the police.

“Let him go! Leave him alone!” I yelled.

I was grabbed and yanked away by one of the policemen. I was hurled down onto the stage almost as abruptly. My head slammed the hardwood, knocking the wind out of me and leaving me disoriented for a time. Still, I crawled back to Elvis. A baton struck me in the back, causing me to stop crawling.

“Laura Jean!” yelled Elvis.

He'd gotten away from the men who were attempting to pull him away. He pushed away the cop who had attacked me. “Get off her!” He drew me to my feet. He was sweaty, his clothing was ripped, and his makeup was smudged over his eyes, yet he was still the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen. “Laura Jean, baby, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” All of the adrenaline had dulled the agony in my back that I was certain I would experience later. The cop who had hit me regained his feet and was making his way towards us when he noticed something in Elvis's hand and came to a halt. Elvis placed his arm around my waist and drew me to him, without taking his gaze away from the officer. I followed the officer's attention to Elvis's unattached hand. His chest heaved up and down swiftly as he clutched a pocketknife in the other hand.

Elvis pressed my head into his shoulder as he slid his hand from my waist to my hair. He spoke in hushed tones that only I could hear. His voice was kind and soothing when he spoke to me. “Go find my mama.”

I shook my head while gripping his shirt. “No! I’m not leavin’ you!”

He kissed my brow and scratched my scalp like if he were comforting an animal. “Darlin’ if you stay…if they touch you again, I’m going to jail for more than just causin’ a riot.” Elvis tilted his head down to stare into my eyes. He really meant what he just said. He'd do anything to keep these men away from me. “Go find my mama…now.”

“Put the knife away and I will.” I didn't want him to get into any more trouble.

He slid the knife closed and dropped it onto the stage. “Go.”

I nodded and let go of him, racing down the stage stairs and weaving between the wild mob until I saw Ms. Gladys outside the car, crying. She embraced me and expressed her concern that she couldn't locate me. She had obviously refused to go without me, despite the Colonel's urgings. We both looked to the opposite side of the stage, where Elvis was being taken to the vehicle in which we had come.

“Elvis!” Gladys screamed, terrified for her son.

“Mama, you get in the car! Laura Jean, Mama, get in the car!” he yelled back. The cops shoved him into the back seat, and slammed the door shut behind him. I noticed him peering out the back window at us.

Even though I was as anxious and afraid as Ms. Gladys, I grabbed her arm. “Let’s go, Ms. Gladys. We gotta go.”

She let me pull her into the backseat, which closed once the Colonel got in. I stared out the back window as the automobile began to drive away. As I watched the car with Elvis in it go in the opposite direction, I burst into tears.

Stay tuned for part 7!! Click HERE to view!

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suspiciousmindsxo · 3 months

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February 25, 1961: Elvis performed in downtown Memphis at Ellis Auditorium at 3:00p.m. and 8:30p.m. These shows were done as a Memphis charity benefit. Attendance at the first show was 3,860 and at the second 6,540. The shows raised $51,612, with $47,823 distributed among 26 Memphis charities, and $3,789 went to the Youth Center, in Elvis' hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi.

Tennessee governor Buford Ellington and Memphis mayor Henry Loeb both declared this day as “Elvis Presley Day.”

Here is an interview Elvis gave that day:

https://youtu.be/VXV4KqCpYAU

Ellis Auditorium was located 255 North Main Street. It was a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena. It opened in October 1930 and it was demolished in 1997. Today the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts sits on the property.

#elvis #elvis presley #elvis the king #elvisaaronpresley

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dontmeantobepoliticalbut · 1 year

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A second Tennessee House Democrat has been reinstated after Republicans expelled him for protesting with gun control advocates.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 Wednesday to reinstate state Rep. Justin Pearson, who days before was expelled by the GOP supermajority for joining protesters ― many of them children ― who chanted in the House chamber in support of gun control following a school shooting that left three kids and three adults dead last month.

Following his reinstatement, a packed crowd inside the County Administration Building erupted in cheers and applause. In a speech following his reinstatement, Pearson said it was time to get back to work.

“You can’t expel our voice, and you sure can’t expel our fight,” he told the crowd.

“Let’s get back to work!” he shouted, to loud cheers.

Pearson and fellow Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones were expelled for protesting on March 30 in the House chamber, which Republican lawmakers called “disorderly behavior” that “brought dishonor to the House of Representatives.” A third lawmaker who joined in protesting for gun control, Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, was spared expulsion by a single vote.

Pearson and Jones are Black; Johnson is white. Both Jones and Johnson joined Pearson in his march Wednesday to the County Administration Building.

“I’m so glad Memphis did what was right,” Johnson told local station WREG after the vote. “I’m just absolutely thrilled.”

“Justice was done today,” she added.

Pearson represents part of Memphis, which is in Shelby County. Mickell Lowery, Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, said in a statement Sunday that the expulsion of Pearson “was conducted in a hasty manner.”

“The protests at the State Capitol by citizens recently impacted by the senseless deaths of three 9-year-old children and three adults entrusted with their care at their school was understandable given the fact that the gun laws in the State of Tennessee are becoming nearly non-existent,” Lowery said.

“It is equally understandable that the leadership of the State House of Representatives felt a strong message had to be sent to those who transgressed the rules,” Lowery continued. “However, I believe the expulsion of State Representative Justin Pearson was conducted in a hasty manner without consideration of other corrective action methods. I also believe that the ramifications for our great State are still yet to be seen.”

Jones, who represents part of Nashville, was voted back into office on Monday by the Nashville Metropolitan Council in a vote of 36-0. Nashville Mayor John Cooper (D) said it was about giving voters their “voice back.”

“Voters in District 52 elected Justin Jones to be their voice at the statehouse, and that voice was taken away this past week,” Cooper said during the meeting to reinstate Jones. “So let’s give them their voice back. I call on this body to vote unanimously, right now, to do just that.”

Along with the two lawmakers being reinstated this week, another surprising victory emerged: On Tuesday, Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order to tighten background checks and called on the state legislature to pass a “red flag” law that would make it easier to remove guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or others.

During his expulsion hearing, Pearson reminded lawmakers that the U.S. was founded on protest.

“You who celebrate July 4, 1776, pop fireworks and eat hot dogs ― you say to protest is wrong because you spoke out of turn, because you spoke up for people who are marginalized, because you spoke up for kids who won’t ever speak again ... in a country built on people who speak out of turn,” he said.

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