Yes, Memphis is sooo much about race, it's absolutely sickning. I am NOT from here nor do I understand why race is such a big deal. It's frustrating to say the least!! First off let me say, that the Suburbs schools are top notch, A+, awesome schools!! They have a mix of races in them as well. Yes, most of them are majority white, but they do have a mix of races. Anyone is more than able to rent a house or apartment or whatever if they want to live in the 'burbs. People act like there is a HUGE wall saying that only certain people are allowed. SOOOO not the case. There are cheaper or government apartments, and many accept section 8 vouchers as well. I know a single mom that has CHOOSEN to live in tiny apartment waaayyy out in the suburbs in order for her kids to go to the school she wanted them in! She drives almost an hour into work everyday(working downtown Memphis)! It is worth it to her! So even in a unified district, there will still be zoning issues, where you live will determine what school you go to, so if you want your kid(s) to go a certain school MOVE in that area!! Duh!! There are single parents and married parents in both Memphis and the suburbs. There are people that make 200000 a year and 20000 a year in both Memphis and the Suburbs. It's about what you CHOOSE! The majority of Memphis city schools suck! Why do they want Shelby county schools try to raise them up, it's not ging to happen that way, the Suburbs schools will be brought down instead, then the entire county will have undereducated kids! If Memphis would raise the standards for behavior and teachers improvements would follow. So PLEASE it's not always about race with everyone...

It is another desperate attempt to shut down the Suburbs voices. If the County is running out of time, it is their own fault based on the lawsuit and all the other dilatory strategies to delay a final decision on this matter. The school system will beneficiate from a smaller unified district, having 6 high quality school districts surrounding Memphis may be they will learn by osmosis.

Since no one wants to address the elephant in the room I will. Some of the caucasions who reside in suburbia do not want their lilly white children to associate with African Americans for fear they might acquire bad habits or behavoirs because we all know that children can be easily influenced. Some fail to realize that every African American is not stupid or disruptive. Furthermore, some African Americans want the same advantages for their children as other races or nationalities.The children who are disruptive and do not want to learn can be weeded out and dismissed.Memphis is not a progressive city,kid friendly nor does it have very many forward thinkers. I was raised here and I've simply had enough of the funky politics and hostility among the races. I have acquired three college degrees and I'm desperately seeking to relocate to another state because Memphis is literally behinsd the times and backwards.I hate this city with a passion and when individuals ask where I'm from I'm embarrassed to say. This city STINKS and the politrickcians are only there to benefit themselves. To hell with this !ucking city.