VOL. 61, No. 8
One Section/Inserts
February 16 - 22, 2012
75 Cents
‘The voice of a generation’
Whitney Elizabeth Houston 1963 - 2012
Survived my darkest hour, my faith kept me alive I picked myself back up, hold my head up high I was not built to break I didn’t know my own strength There were so many times I wondered how I’d get through the night I thought I took all that I could take I didn’t know my own strength
Special to the Tri-State Defender
by Sonya Young
Whitney Houston “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”
• Whitney Houston: What can be learned from her tragic death? See Opinion, page 4.
www.tristatedefender.com
• Michael Jackson, Bernie Mac, Etta James, Don Cornelius and now, Whitney Houston! See Entertainment, page 11.
As news of the death of legendary pop diva Whitney Houston spread throughout the Landers Center arena in Southaven, Miss. Saturday night (Feb. 11), fans gathered for the New Edition Reunion Tour wondered if band member Bobby Brown, ex-husband of Houston, would appear. Brown and Houston married in 1992 and spent 14 tumultuous and controversial years together amid later-confirmed rumors of drug abuse until divorcing in 2007. They were
parents to one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 18. At the concert venue, cell phones began to light up with breaking news alerts announcing Houston’s death, security tightened and media was banned from filming Brown and his band mates onstage. As the crowd waited for the show to begin, one concertgoer, who wished to remain anonymous, told The New Tri-State Defender that she’d just spoken with New Edition’s manager and was told that the concert would still go on. SEE WHITNEY ON PAGE 2
IN POLITICS
Don’t be late for early voting Yes, the primary is important Special to the Tri-State Defender
by Tony Jones
Getting to know you…
Memphis Grizzlies newbie Quincy Pondexter attended his first Staxtacular event and snapped candid photos of teammates and attendees after asking to borrow the camera of New Tri-State Defender reporter, Kelley Evans. “Iʼm very shy. This camera helped me get to know people. It made my night friendly. I was able to bond with our fans and I thanked them for attending such a beneficial event,” Pondexter said. (See Community, page 10). (Photo by Quincy Pondexter)
- INSIDE • Childhood obesity and diabetes can be arrested with parental guidance. See Health, page 6. • The search for a soul mate is an inward journey. See Religion, page 8. • ‘The Loretta McNary Show’ goes to the Oscars. See Entertainment, page 11.
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
H- 5 7o - L - 4 2o Su nny
H- 5 2o - L - 3 6o Mostl y Cl o udy
H- 4 9o - L - 3 3o S unn y
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
Friday H-59 L-43 H-56 L-37 H-65 L-47
Saturday H-53 L-34 H-55 L-35 H-54 L-40
Sunday H-53 L-34 H-45 L-27 H-57 L-36
People around the world set themselves on fire, battle tanks with rocks and will out-row a ship to the docks to get the right to vote. Meanwhile, the heads of the Democratic and Republican parties here offer spot-on advice to Memphians who think participating in the March 6th primary election is not worth their time. Don’t fool yourselves, they say. If you want to affect big issue concerns such as the voter photo ID law, the civil liberty questions surrounding potential drug testing for food stamp applicants, or even the proper way to control pit bulls, turnout is a key in driving the decisions that we will all have to live with later. Vote or don’t vote, the primary will decide several crucial races that affect us everyday. Early voting for the primary started Wednesday (Feb. 15) at the Shelby County Election Commission downtown at 157 Poplar, and will run through Tuesday, Feb. 28th. Satellite locations will begin accepting voters Tuesday, Feb. 21. Early voting will conclude at all locations Tuesday, Feb. 28th, after SEE VOTE ON PAGE 2
‘Great Debaters’ challenge ‘Ole Miss’ to historic debate Special to the Tri-State Defender
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell More than seven decades after “The Great Debaters” of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas made history by knocking off the national champs of the University of Southern California, the latest version of the team will take the stage in Memphis for another historic contest. This time the opponent is the University of Mississippi at Oxford, with the two squads facing off on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7 p.m. at New Sardis Baptist Church. The teams will ponder “Whether President Obama Should Be Re-elected or Not.” “The fact that this debate is taking place reflects the great transformation which Ole Miss has undergone over the past few decades,” said the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba Gray, pastor of New Sardis Baptist Church and the event’s host. “This marks a new day in Mississippi and a new era in the South. Students making logical arguments and issuing rebuttals gain invaluable experience in critical thinking and persuasive delivery. I think we will all learn a great deal from these students.”
The backdrop
The year was 1935. Professor
Melvin B. Tolson of Wiley College made the long journey to Los Angeles with his “Great Debaters” to challenge the nation’s champion debate team at the University of Southern California (USC). Tolson’s students were grandchildren of former slaves, polished in the art of persuasive argument and public speaking. Their challenge to face USC seemed more than ambitious; it was ludicrous. However, the small east Texas school had beaten every noted “black” institution in the country. An interracial challenge was imminent. Tolson and his team understood all the implications – “winner take all.” As the saga unfolded, a dramatic spectacle was being staged. Tolson’s debaters were not only brilliant and skillful debaters; they had also studied theatrical techniques of live stage acting under his watchful eye. Quite early in the contest, it was evident that USC was no match for Tolson’s team. The unthinkable happened: David had slain Goliath. Descendents of slaves had crushed the nation’s collegiate debate champions. Their victory, however, was hollow and more symbolic than substantive. “Negro colleges” could not be members of the Debate Society. Therefore, the championship title remained with USC. The mere satisfaction of winSEE DEBATE ON PAGE 3
“The Great Debaters” of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. (Courtesy photo)
The University of Mississippi debate team. (Courtesy photo)