Every area has good and bad places. But the crimes per capita that people are talking about when they say it's a bad city is higher than average in Memphis. And it's not a well cared-for city in terms of roads, infrastructure, schools, government, etc...ON AVERAGE. Just because you can find elite paradise oases there doesn't negate the other deficiencies. Just because there are tons filthy rich people there doesn't make it a safe city. Or a good one, but that's more subjective. Nobody said it has no redeeming qualities, it's just a below average place by plenty of metrics, some of which don't matter as much to you as they do to others.
The reason you have to keep defending is because people who aren't emotionally attached to it can clearly see its problems. Tons of mothers of murderers say what a sweet boy he is lol.