Lived in Tipton County almost 25 years ago and from time to time had to go into Memphis from tile to time. Even then the racial divide and hatred was off the chart. Some of the angriest, bitter people rolled into town with the COGiC conferences.
What’s COGiC?
I lived in Corinth and the blacks in Memphis were some of the most prejudiced and desired whites dead almost universally. I served in the NG during the 1978 Fireman’s Riots and found the blacks to be some of the most dangerous and hateful people to be encountered. We had our Mid South Civil War shows the same weekend as the COGIC conventions and saw the same as you. If any enemy of the US were want to destroy Memphis they wouldn’t have to hit the city...all they would have to do is detonate a bomb nearby and the blacks in Memphis would destroy the city themselves.
Here in rural NW Tennessee race relations are just fine and dandy.