Memphis Mayor Fist-Bumps The Dalai Lama Saying, “Hello Dalai”

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Memphis Mayor Myron Lowery fist-bumps the Dalai Lama as he arrives in Memphis for the National Civil Rights “Freedom Awards.”

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Reported by: Shane Myers

Email: smyers@abc24.com

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Published: 9/22/2009 4:22 pm

Updated: 9/25/2009 6:24 pm

MEMPHIS, TN – Memphis Mayor Myron Lowery fist-bumped the Dalai Lama as he arrived in Memphis for the National Civil Rights Museum’s “Freedom Awards.”

The Dalai Lama was greeted at Tom Lee Park by Memphis Mayor Myron Lowery and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2009. Mayor Lowery shook hands with the Dalai Lama and then grabbed his hand and showed him how to fist-bump. Lowery then told the Dalai Lama that he, “always wanted to say ‘hello Dalai.’” Both laughed at the gesture and joke.

Later, the Dalai Lama explained – laughingly – that smacking fists is considered a sign of violence. The Dalai Lama seemed to be amused by the greeting.

The Dalai Lama is in Memphis to receive the National Civil Rights Museum’s International Freedom Award at the Peabody Hotel, Wednesday, September 23. The award is given to an individual who has had a global impact or has impacted the state of human and civil rights abroad.

Click the video player at the top right of your screen to see the video.

CLICK HERE to see unedited video of the Dalai Lama’s welcome to Memphis, including the fist-bump.

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ladyelle1 - 9/24/2009 3:42 PM

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Very inappropriate and unnecessary......Myron Lousy has embarassed the city even further and set us back another 30 years and has taken the credit for something Shea Flinn did about a week or two ago. Let the record show if he was so concerned about Swine Flu, he still shook the Dalai Lama's hand, hugged and even accepted a scarf from him. Therefore no excuse as to why he couldn't have acted professional and shake his hand in the first place.... surely sealing his fate of "NOT" being mayor.

brakes4less206 - 9/24/2009 3:29 PM

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I stand up and appaulde him. He was having fun with our visitor and he did have it approved before doing it so as not to offend anyone. If you look at the video he seemed to enjoy it. What you really need to talk about is the job he has done since taking office. I think it is a fine one. He is not standing for all of the old hires from " King Willie" and he is putting and end to overspending and coruption when he finds it. I wish some other of our elected officals would have the courage to stand up and do the right thing even if it is not popular. To him I say good job and keep it up. Best wishes in the upcoming election. Thank you for doing what is right

shelby - 9/23/2009 9:09 PM

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Donlon, even using your narrow minded 'you people' mentality, you should get that fist-bumping is not a sin or a catastrophe! A blight will not fall upon Memphis because of this minor ordeal! Get over it!

breezinthru - 9/23/2009 8:46 PM

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Oh come on, you Memphis folk, get a grip. Lowery did not commit a crime he fist bumped the Dalai!! For pete's sake, get over it. In case any of you did not notice, the Dalai, seemed to looked amused at it all. I thought it was light hearted, humerous and a good way to intoduce himself, kinda broke the ice and added some laughter. That's what we ALL need, is a little laughter, in our lives and quit being so hum drum about it all. Give Lowery a break, this WAS NOT humilating or embarassing at all, a LOT worse goes on in Memphis that folks should be EMBARASSED about. Take a deep breath and just laugh it off, it was all in good fun and I do NOT believe there was any harm done, at all, on Lowery's part. Who wants to shake hands now a days anyway, with all the Swine Flu scare?? Lighten up!!!!!!

Donlon - 9/23/2009 8:18 PM

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You people are the real hypocrites. You show your total lack of respect for non-Christians. Imagine him fist bumping the pope?! You people would send the lynch mob after him then. And what does the president fist bumping his wife have to do with any of this? That's not a good comparison at all. Memphis deserves whatever bad press it gets.

shelby - 9/23/2009 4:26 PM

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I didn’t read this much 'press', or see so much embarrassment, as Michelle Obama committed a huge Faux pas when she put her arm around the Queen of England and gave here an IPOD! Memphis (rightfully) has more than enough bad press! I think the upset is more about those who dislike Lowery period. I'm certain no serious repercussions will result because of the infamous ‘fist-bump’. I don’t know who I’ll vote for but if we exclude all who have ‘embarrassed’ themselves, there would be no candidates left! Opinions vary and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. Like Mrs. Obama, it doesn’t make one stupid, or unworthy of a job, because they commit a ‘fauz pas’! All who are appalled need to get over it. The media needs to stop evolving around this and move on to important news!

MrDomo - 9/23/2009 2:49 PM

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It amazies me that each time a post a comment on this site my home phone will ring, never anyone on the line, just a ring till I pick up, does this happen to anyone else? I wonder?

marsblackmon - 9/23/2009 2:42 PM

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@shelby good post, anyways dont we have bigger things to be concerned with such as crime, health issues, and the children, some of you all acted as though lowrey fist bumped Jesus Christ himself, the dala lama, whoever he is is a man plain and simple, some of you memphians are to uptight

chris71 - 9/23/2009 2:39 PM

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shaking hands nowadays with swine flu season here,not a good idea! Bowing, Maybe! But if the Dali Lama didn't mind it why do others have to express their displeasure? Focus on your an lives people, make them better and quit crating negativity about trivial stuff!!

dmsned - 9/23/2009 1:02 PM

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memphians let it get to this so they should stop complaining. myron, shake those haters off and and maybe the folks having a fit will calm down soon. (sound familiar?) memphis is what it is because the voters started it a long time ago.

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