'Flight or fight?' I fell in love with Memphis. It's still worth fighting for | Opinion

Rufus Smith IV
·3 min read

I have a confession -- I get sad and mad when people say they are considering relocating their families, due to the recent rise of violent crime in Memphis. As a three-time victim of violent crime (not here but elsewhere), I understand the sentiment, but reject Flight over Fight?”

I’m mad at myself too, because of the smug satisfaction of thinking I am doing enough by pastoring a local church, while being a poor neighbor neglecting my Cordova civic club community meetings.

When Memphis became my home

Thirteen years ago, my wife and I left Houston, Texas to accept the ‘call’ to pastor Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Walnut Grove. I dreaded leaving my hometown; nevertheless, I was spiritually compelled to relocate. I soon became enamored with Memphis and wanted to die here. Like my friend Johnny Pitt, I’m bullish on the good, the grit & grind of our beloved Memphis.

I fight for the next generation

I’m emboldened by the growing army of young professionals living in Memphis. Many have befriended this older man. My adult-age children relocated with us in 2010, even though they had options. My favorite oldest daughter is an executive director of a nonprofit using music to empower girls as creative leaders in under-resourced communities. My favorite son worked at Boys & Girls Clubs until returning to Houston to co-parent his sons. And my favorite youngest daughter graduated from Memphis Teachers Residency in 2016 and is still educating in an under-resourced neighborhood. Thousands of their talented young adult peers could take flight — but have stayed to fight!

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Am I my brother's keeper?

Many white and middle-class black or brown families can isolate or have options of flight. But what about most of the hard working, brave struggling families? Do we leave them to fight alone? Am I my brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9)? Do I love my struggling neighbors as myself (Lev. 19:18; Matt 22:39)? Data reveals a minority of people commit most of the violent crime. And though we must not oversimplify the perplexity of the problem, why flee with such beatable odds?

What we're fighting against

We're up against criminal justice system that's a revolving door for serious violent crime offenders. Against generational causes that make criminal activity more accessible than livable wage opportunities. Against my apathetic attitude which perpetuates evil.

I’m not criticizing relocation that’s motivated by improving one’s lot in life; Instead, I’m challenging the motivation of relocating based on fear—without fighting. Have I been ‘called’ to Memphis just to make money or to make a difference?

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Those who didn’t take flight

During times of crisis in Memphis, Charlie Vergos didn’t take flight. Instead, he stayed and created the nationally famous Rendezvous Barbeque.

The Reverend Rufus Smith, senior pastor of Hope Church, gives the benediction during the memorial service for Nick Vergos, co-owner of The Rendezvous, at Hope Church in Cordova, Tennessee, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.
The Reverend Rufus Smith, senior pastor of Hope Church, gives the benediction during the memorial service for Nick Vergos, co-owner of The Rendezvous, at Hope Church in Cordova, Tennessee, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.

Robert Church stayed to reclaim Memphis’ Incorporation and saved the city. Maxine Smith didn’t take flight, she stayed as a key figure to desegregate Memphis’ schools and government.

Pitt Hyde stayed and assembled Auto Zone, the largest retailer of automotive replacement parts in the U.S. Fred Smith didn’t take flight, he stayed and engineered the world’s largest transportation company. These folk found some degree of ease, but none left because of dis-ease.

How to fight

Fighting can take on many versions. Praying supported by action. Rejecting the blame-game. Raising your awareness about what non-profits, churches, businesses, government, and educators are doing to promote prevention and intervention. Mentoring, hiring, and volunteering to help dispel hopelessness. Advocating for political policies that arrest joblessness and the impoverished conditions that contribute to criminal behavior.

Memphis, we have more to celebrate than criticize. Let’s resolve to get more involved. I will.

Rev. Rufus Smith IV is the senior pastor of Hope Church Memphis  

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Memphis is still worth the fight against violent crime.