Elon Musk’s supercomputer project in Memphis has some residents up in arms, and the NAACP is demanding its immediate shutdown amid claims of racism.
In a letter to Shelby County officials last week, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People claimed Musk’s xAI data center in South Memphis violated environmental laws, demanding an emergency closure of the center and a full investigation.
“Being the world’s richest man doesn’t give you the right to pollute Black communities and jeopardize the health of its residents,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson told NBC News in a statement. “We urge the health department to step in immediately.”
The NAACP letter accused the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) and Memphis Light Gas and Water’s (MLGW) of allowing xAI to “operate seemingly without constraint or restraint.”
The letter, addressed to Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Health Department, and to the commissioners of Memphis Light Gas and Water, called out the “lackadaisical approach to the operation of this dirty data center.”
“Over the last year, MLGW and SCDH have allowed xAI to operate at least 35 gas turbines without any permitting,” the NAACP wrote.
The letter went on to note that Musk “built his first southwest Memphis, Tennessee center near Boxtown, which is a historically Black community in the state. This decision perpetuated the trend of industries adding pollution to communities who do not cause the problem.”
“Instead of SCHD working to reduce health issues known in the area, including that cancer risks are already four times the national average, it has allowed xAI to operate above the law,” the group claimed.
“While we applaud research and innovation,” the letter stated, “there must be limits that ensure that communities are healthy and alive to enjoy the benefits of any potential innovation.”
A spokesperson for Memphis Light Gas and Water told NBC News that no letter had yet been received.
“Neither the health department nor xAI immediately responded to questions about the letter, which was also signed by the presidents of the Tennessee and Memphis chapters of the NAACP,” the outlet reported.
The xAI center previously told NBC News that its “operations comply with all applicable laws” and that it “works collaboratively with County and City officials, EPA personnel, and community leaders regarding all things that affect Memphis.”
Some social media reactions to the criticism and the NAACP letter noted that the group should reassess its focus.
Is it racist?
— The Constitutionalist (@WeWillBeFree24) May 31, 2025
heaven forbid the @NAACP call on black on black crime to end and Memphis to stop being the murder capital of the US https://t.co/GrSyxun7JC
— *•.¸♡ Ҝiм ♡¸.•* (@Kim_4VOLS) June 2, 2025
If the NAACP were still relevant, they would report on Democrat-led cities where pollution, bad policies and crime are actually destroying black families. But they lean far left and won’t bring up those issues.https://t.co/LxAyjvH8J3
— Corenna (@MAGACorenna2) June 1, 2025
Dear NAACP,
Stick with “Black Advancement” because you’re a few decades delinquent on that part of your charter.This has nothing to do with protecting the Black community and everything to do with DOGE and Trump. First of all, the NAACP could care less about the Black…
— Napoleon Jenkins (@Chopper_Jenkins) May 31, 2025
The murder rate of African Americans in Memphis is a low priority for the @NAACP. They are nothing more than a political action committee for the @DNC .
— SaddleUp (@imgov_here2help) May 31, 2025
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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