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January 2 - 8, 2020
VOL. 69, No. 1
Zach Randolph checks out in classic Z-bo style A tweet made it officially official
by Lee Eric Smith
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January 6 - 12, 2011
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Obama issues invite to chat on Google
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the Tri-State
Defender Commission to make his point, presenting a let- cil Chairman Myron Lowery. That opinion As thetoRep ter outlining his opinion. His position stood in seems throw mud on a 1961 statue that State ublican Mark Goins cited in telling contrast to the state election chief’s ruling – re- tion Election Coordinator process nominarolls forw Partyby leased Wednesday – that the City Council must ques thetion Election that the City ard, one letter s manyCommission of the tical obse Council mustpoli approve a referendum. rule in favor of a referendum before a special aski ng is whe rvers are ther was can com the Afri election can be ordered. While some thought canmunthere Am that the Elecity will supp tion Commission might settle a date for a refMeanwhile, eligible voters for a potentialBara ck Obama’s ort Pres oneriMemphis City Council member Shea Flinn election also had to take in a 2003 state attorneyenthusiastically bid for re-electi ident says a petition signed by 25 Memphis citizens as his historic on as general’s advisory opinion circulated by Coun-for the office. firstON can direct the City Council to call for a special runPAGE 2 SEE UNCERTAINTY In a rece poll, Afri nt Pew Researc kh Center ferred Prescan-American vote -total blac re is a near er grid 3 percent ident Obama 95 rs prePower – ThePrince; the pow spopercent to -auRomney, over GOP frontrun aged, and ad out in Port ntly dam spre he got in“which is at least thener Mitt begun to was significa margin generakouts have mock, asso 2008,” said Mic radic blac island. Those with re nighthael Diciate dire at the befo Pew ctor ss fuel . “Th for acro run out of electricity The expe ere’s no erosion atresearch s tors could er limiting all.” CST, a serie e gie Banks. rts should have calle fall, furth at 5:22 p.m. nitud d Virto limited On Jan. 12,es ranging from magly popA retir availability. ications – Due are diffiby Tony and activ ed teacher, and an ons i in the high st, 10 of earthquak Jones Communcom icatiSybil inist with Peo mun organizer Special to Oue by Dr. C. lar Mitchell struck Hait King cellu ty, Peo the Tri-State her ple and trici 6.5 to 7.3 of Department Prince, the ple Lut Emp elec (PE tin e lines Special to the Tri-State Defender Defender phon ess for a P), Banks served owering Lawson . Dr. Mar ulated areaheast of Port-au- inuing at cult with down. The Rev with Rev. James historic Presiden president’sviewing party to as hostat miles sout rshocks were cont. ers frastructure Thousands of Memphis City YouTube t Barack Obama Jr. conf School em-a session before his this past State of the Uniowatch the press time via capital. Afte during th ht) nder Tue n mon e (rig a Add Defe a than $1 ple bilployees national towGoogle on Mon will be live on sday helpwill lose their jobs. More on ress Blockers Lorrain Tri-State day you can Soul Foo (Jan. 24). Held at Mas Tem lion will transfer to the control. Called a n hall chat open (Jan. 30) for t- county’s How n at the Church of Win d coun atio Res of ches Goo to all citiz ssin taur ims gle ant (7209 assa would like vict ments Scores optional, adult andleft re-is the late theof ake education A. B. two dozeter Rd.), Banks said hqu to participHangout, citizens ens. can help nt eart n people Key develop Motel. At Christ Bishop photos to You rece source programs will disappear. near num sign ate have the who year ly fere high up showed in da nt type s, like ld each e historic God Education woralarm White Hou for submission until Saturday is the that Memphis less crise arouThat rts indicate espread nd the she desc of political party for a difto the . See mor the Tri-State DeInitial repo alties with wid s, crel gift McEwen few will be se YouTube chanby going to the in Haiti, President Keith Williams against volunteersribes as enthusia – one that a financia ctions in memorative adrnationaisl sounding reflecharInte ber of casu collapsed buildingch and stic, with during the chosen to speak nel. A selected and ready by makingsurrendering Memphis Schools Cross the ideCityand ual com oto by Mark Pres and sear prov Red ann with to live iden for age an er will wor the pres e t Oba broadcas dam ch controlsupfend County k dressed by Americ ter ceding to Shelby ion B. (Ph d, whi urgent need y as thre Funand “I’m part ma to a second to push the presiden t. Others will ident long-term l as- dition, Sect ating an ponseSchools. . As man cted. duri term Res and be ities f of ng . adt y) bran the the and relie activ affe ov) ch, whic sbur Hickory technica rescue to vote on chat, and citizens administration immediateugh le may be ration of Red A massive campaign underway to hitehouse.g Hill supplies,email For Americ h works with Org to help isStan million peop of USGS/W (Inaddressed.the questions they will be allowed r supporttoofdesi ional Fede anizing port thromobilize gemstrengthe a to help to and othethousands would like p courtesy The Internat Crescent Societies wish pastors, n the gras buil sistance ployees, as UN (Ma Complet parents, to see Red the presiden sroots supp d and need. If you specific dis-r The charter Cross and Federation), as well for InWhite Houe instructions are n to a community those instudents you issue by the “Our com t’s agenda,” said ort for r donatio and time of ) ternationaland the U.S. Agency humanaks House.gov/Sse’s official webavailable at the nate youleaders organize mitment is to help Banks. t (USAID so attothepack the East numbers, see common Obama spe page, Whi agencies in their own d of the s of ocean beaster, do peop Developmen te humanHitting theOTU. auditorium at High tethe presiden President mile n by: School tion community le with the desare reminde s are ternationalteams to coordina ide search page 2. atio grid imm dred we tian Tue n don t’s s; hun Hai dona sday’s , 4:15your p.m. on Tuesday. The behalf. I on from the edia Red Cros a time whe got just a few s us together have to be deployed stance and prov Mailing than 30 officState of the Uni tely following American mass meeting is designed we “…this is all share. With bind S; to teams throvery beginning and on board the So to on that e. ROS ials, addr tion itarian assi services. sory D-C including ess, more Biden, are igna recall 0-REof is relea a spirit activism important ughout the county. we have . and community ority that weand a long hist s and here at hom Vice Pres ing 1-80 and rescue rican Red Cross response here at Callganizing cross.org feedback being made avai ident Joe .redignited ivingrights era half the h times have to getfor people to kno It’s very tween usrs of the America r of need. wwwthat rececivil The Ame for immediate a Relief Visiating ncing tougwant to support termed Offiof citizen concernslable for direct ss is also y mobile ion century neighbo them in their hou get reelecteorganized now tow that we Red Croago. part ce Hours are experie via ing $1 millis also deployingteam, with ns who .gov where you The we third a rry help for d.” rica a proc The e Mothat Cu on Twi him “We must act now, andbywe must act deci-orge E. ess ther live through hours the fact those Ame ehouse needs. It cy Response Unit In a pho sponsored “From money reach initi chat follows an tter. e. “Despite ld encourage rts to go to whit ared for difficult . We saidrt Williams. hall,Ge we sively,” can textthat by ce ng effo Emergen al specialist en roution has wou Address,ne call from the ile donors fundraisi SEE WA ar NNP A News Servi “President’sative available toearlier direct outt be prep of the tragedy be will sendMob a message ourdoll elected officials home, I nt humanitarian effo TCH ON ato$10 the nation the public, pe Accord. an addition rnational Federat cy Rete. We mus send that Obama and with Firs U.S. Capitol imm We will bile on can CommunAgenda and the PAGE 6 9 toboard school wefund willsnot support day, the day afterbirthday of the the urge how to contribu n about the sco t Lady Mic prayers. to 9099 s. The i that The Inte tional Emergen Relief, ediately iti”the Crosnot U.S. Speinforms John Buc “Hathis the and featured ity,” which was African AmeriOn Tues helle Oba addi d ss reilies in our people of Hait rica afte We will throw up our hands can learns ahead as we lear Cro cial Ope to the Red celebrates released last suspende tionaction. in the the deployed Unit teams forLogistics, their fam ma at his r the State of Ame the Red donaand rations Forhanan that his fall give up ort on our own children.” officiallytin Luther King Jr., hip Conand day the victims and and I pledge toUnited States of the Union Tri-State Defender Dec. 1 edition of side, Pre to supp dau ces in Som sponse ders will go in Dr. Mar ications, l and Logisin Haiti. ofans will keep in our response, partner in the Thertsdissolution the MCS would livingsystem istian Lea igh Tramalia. (Whghter, Jessica, sident Barack dent’s African-Am (“TSD probes The New pita Chr effo Telecommun n Hos and eric liefmean “ourofchildren In Cha a wide-ranging speech from 2010, Mayor AC Wharton Jr. provided a glimpse of was for Presiite House ent Am ir Rale r that began with highlights of positive news and successes “These even erican miss obile Soutother act the over resolute have a friend and” being a sure conthanded - INS photo by rescued by to Health/M as a Field Assessm Families and ts are very ion”). nce Board the State of theTrea City address he will deliver later this month. (Photo by Earl Stanback) IDE ard. uraged . Pete Sou 4747. withfere you will encodoes system not most evening. ton, Ohio, 407-them” important of Eutaw, going forw i are that tics, as well Team (FACT) 888-want za) nesday s Hait • Tipping disp mell of Day , a resident in an Atto the today and artment atlosing their jobs, Williams MCS employees use Wed hquake survivor ar Coordination e Dep SEE GO Stat th Spiver Gordon official restaurant arity points to a of eart OGLE ON told the Tri-StateCro Defender on-Sou Wednesday. duled to appe dismissals hindering ss Mid government Thousands PAGE 6 roadways, to reach est their directly Ala., are sche Red lose use. s, UN and “The more than $100 million opportunity industry gov rce:schools e clogging Sou they workers court to cont Red Cros collapsed or have been teho Situation lanta Whi andup if we give our charter. We need to get ind allegations that et $500,000 be af- wer ability of rescueath rubble. Trans- Cha has been many Opinion, gap. See pter the to secr -au-Prince g critical buildings haveulations may also ami a bene cted Port pag ped – and do the work to fix our own schools. there from expe e el. trap 5. Damage cted, includin tricity, damaged. Pop benefited unt. ptions are r and Jacm ce Inter- those ded A terrible message is being sent to our chilaffe Of the debate surrounding the December 20th of it was not possible• because he really cares ation disru Prin d acco lic, SCLC, co-founafter d in Carrefou port So-c -auseverely structure such as elec boar refecte alle al Port by Florence dren. We’ll send a louder message on Tues- the pub rise Howard Initi The to com ‘Ghetto about children. He said news dmedia wasApp ask- action of the Memphis City School Board to surriorate. on theM. To city infra phone services. ber of cadranows Access – ort was closed for dete ’ render its charter, Wharton said, “There is nothhastobeen Special the Tri-State day: ‘No, we will not surrender our charter.’” in 2004. controv ing a 7-year-old or a graduating senior nessDefender Dr. King, ers about water andcated a large num damage. national Airpic, but remained open Micthere for ing wrong with debating the plan.” Since the school board’s Dec. 20 votebyto st going out of busi of my childrosoft. their concerns, and yet are 105,000y chiloneWharton ports indi and widespread reports, mercial traff almo Ala.in, a precursor to his dren to be looked after. le Jr.,AC Mayor page 8. See Business, He asked those present to focus less on persurrender the charter and effectively put the ary aloosa, Jr., Tusc sualties Charles Stee fromto the Kiwanis of to prelimin State of the Cityback address ds from issue before voters, a firestorm has erupted “We cannot afford one child to fall into sonalities and malicious intent and more on tion According t hood frien Memphis lateronthis touched lightly on the between advocates of the measure and its oppresiden the organiza • Mem asmonth, said,phis explaining why he keeping the debate at the right level. “The world brought Memphis ng referendum at the limbo,” the city mayor -bor duri City Schools charter of extincti ponents. School board member Dr. Kenneth ion n k sees Memphis…everyday. If we goof up, the and County Mayor Mark Luttrell called a press mill brin pho $8 the tographer group’s , raisingmeeting T. Whalum Jr., a most vocal opponent of the this weekTarr to announce -09. at the Peabody Hotel on conference on Tuesday ice Love world knows it, instantaneously, from Boxtown and CEO findsoffocu from 2004 million of that Wednesday. move, said the mass meeting is “urgently saintransition their intention to put together New Yorteam $3.3 his tenureSaying lyhe Ent k.apd a new wasbuil warned to stay out of the to lay out an orderly ertainm See process in case to Approximateused ent, voters - INDEX page 10. historic “school said that staying out prove the MCS referendum. was dilemma,” Wharton SEE CITY ON PAGE 9 SEE MEA ON PAGE 2 amount headquarters on rights icon es C civil nde n SCL m atte nue. Eve who once page • Men’s Foru Auburn AveShuttlesworth – ng, “Only action See Rev. Fred SCLC by sayi ” – acready for Henry r.com referencedgive life to the dead by Wiley ende 10A. group had ri-statedef God can ed the civil rights r the leadwhenry@t state of given only ledg unde the was on know dead er busi the Turn sum of • Reflectionsic. See Religion, an Atlanta Johnnie R. on Monday to rict 85 returned from Steele, now utes Gospel Mus ership of three min tions for the Distand, the eption of her husb by Dr. Syb nessman. the public perc lly reher qualifica Tri-State Defender Staff page 8A. had ocfina se seat that CNN’s award-winning il C. While h Special to state Hou Rep. Larry Turner, that it had busy getting “I can’t believe you just the Tri-State Mitchell journalist Soledad Zach Randolper’ was SCLC was Defender late state 25 years. Is it OK for an African American rently Trammell nization’s ‘pow • The Grizzlies O’Brien autographs said that!” bounded, to revise the orga powers cupied for three minutes appa seven Georgia meaning to page to use the “n” at work, but not so for the d of ince her new book “The se gives new Mae Will boar y Tho the Josephin Sports, a “white person”? ing man ident to gh to conv iam ioners to Next Big Story: My forward. See bylaws, shift held by the pres general about seene Nance at 101 s and commiss were enou le. during the 2007 staff meeting. Court Well, that question now is a fedMay nty hvil ally the have just or A C Wh Journey Through the for Nas Mike tradition ter M. Wimbish, report to the Great it all – the “Roarin Shelby Cou 16A. records reflect said pareral matter. artonthat campus e er packing Depression, to g 20’s,” Jr. Taylor Land of Possibilities” . Dex , fou cted whe him rega le. send Turnfavor of Turner wer re nd dire re ticipants athethedeli event had used tion, the fall his the Deid was ident Stee stride at • ‘Red Tails In Philadelphia, U.S. District full for Specialist Rico counsel, ed his Sta president.”and America’s first of segThose in r, J.W. Gipson ll,Edith A. ad of Pres closest adword “at leastver a hundred times Judge R. Barclay Surrick has ’ Airman his te of theSouthwest Ten “black Donald, a Westwood - Trammell inste Memphis roo with Carpente Henri Brooks, Chairman Both have nes City add counsel of cleared way for a federal trial on or more.” with the ded by jour ts burthe High School graduate helped buil ress. (Ph see Community ion- Against the le went along personal ones wiel roy and and shap ied hon Malone, miss Mul with Depositions reflect that Burlingors roph a lawsuit by former Fox29 reportere oto d . mic Stee Com his See Com Col courtes rs, . that now in thewith U.S. ArmyBoard of youngstersed the lives of a church Moore, Stev y of Sou legeʼs main munity page 13. anchor and, Rep vise er shift, arguing mell would still is awash Guard, nty House Tom Burlington. According ton subsequently asked, “Does ry. , thwest) in the Wal countless lby CoudurNational late husb R. Turnerto pow She Com Tram Joyce Ave sworn in at the state her of ly. nnie the mun with to the Philadelphia Inquirer, this mean we can finally say the ker ed term book tour stop at e Rep. Joh d She was Tuesday. reactioning a une xpir friendship to function effective their love ity. Their pastor Homes Burlington’s lawsuit against the sta- word n-?” don coul er than I Stat sts seeking her her to fill the the him on and Gor hon bett h National Civil labo and noon allow at Sunday of r on the very ored mell h, muc gled nali should to tap In its story, the Inquirer reported ey Henry) tion claims a double standard and althe That Tramboard positions within to by Wil Rights Museum in first “It was muc Turner, who min ers’ decision “These ladi year. MEMPHIleges that he was the victim of racial that Nicole Wolfe, a producer and ent ner. (Pho said es have been S WEE Memphis on Wednesrise to top an embarrassm Constituthought,” the developm Larry Tur KEND one of the three African-American FRIDAY discrimination. day. (Photo by Earl PAGE 3A have been Atlanta Journal-2004 that SATURD nity,” said ent of this faithso vital in In AY June SUN of 2007, the Philadelphia employees among the nine people at NER ON Stanback) itself. Therted on Nov. 10, DAYof the Ma SEE TUR pastor of the Rev. Charles commuin the the meeting, exclaimed: “I can’t beYouth Council NAACP yor Gol den tion repo l “went to prison Wh Church. United MetElliott, art you said that!” ty welfare staged a symbolic burial of the “n” lieve onjustde Sta hodist Trammel cheating a coun live te their flow“We believe in givi rs of Using the “n” word would give word. During a staff meeting where the for ers ng City Ad .” 1970s nt in Ohio MEMPHIS WEEKEND Mrs. Nan while they yet live folks dolph - INSIDE Wharton sure-r, lost dressBurlington credence, station reporters and by producers the story more ce is a char Zach Ran departme , the SCLC trea ama after Golden, H-54 o - L-36 o Tarrin Mc appreciationopened with an FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY ter mem .” as the reportedly said to Taylor, stopping about the story, Burlington Gordon cil seat in Alab ral vote H-51 o -talked Gh Special to wn both “Amalong shorand Mrs. William ber of L-33 othe roots orga for members ofexpression of grat Tri-State short of ee telling her to include the used “n”o - word. liams, kno H-52 to•fede the Now is the time to be Sunny Partly Cloud itude and Defender his city coun L-35 o started in tly after the churs came Rudy Wil of Beale” and dn’t hold y that he address thenizations with a business, civic and guilty in 1999 her report. Daily News word in Sunny shared sens pleading ges. He admitted teachers of tolerance. REGIO SeeNAL TEMPS Friday The Philadelphia “Mayor Beale,” coul teaches the 1954. Mrs. Will ch was outside comed the challenges that Mem phis MayAn account by the Daily News e of purp grassof while a account went toaypress first withtiou anMem Saturd LITTLE ROCK members fraud chara person who lived or A C Wha bassador tears on Tuesday cruised after near adult Sunday Schiams still Sunday Opinion, s plan WEEKEND ing that whi H-57 L-38 an absen-page 4. of the Mem phis face. He alsoose to made use of the s andsaid of H-53 theL-32 incident. A suspension and rton ly 35 year ool class NASHVILLE recoBurlington had asked County to fill outcounty adJr. pres MEMPHIS AY SUNDAY his le phis welback the n of limousinesor Willie they unte H-57 Stat s. “Th sent City H-54 L-36 ente d e may ese of the word recent acco iment they L-32 times. In thed Inthen soon followed Council, ambiJACKSON, H-52determination City a dozen-plus SATURD of Greene and falsely list a d to six L-28 H-48 processiole Street to hon Jan. 5. say“This is our three gene mothers helped can share. often disagree, mpl H-48o - L-32o H-45o - L-29o H-35o - L-29o L-29 who has essBurlington “This is FRIDAY quireraddr story, saidishm he used Debt free ein 2011 – a seriousMS H-61 L-37forH-63Burlington, Monday (Jan there is one ents in to rations of mom tee ballot don was sent•ence L-33 H-60 iterated since down Bea chell, who died telling ent. This Elliott. “We Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Lt Wintery Mix youngst inspire city,” said a defining moment . 23). L-33 during his thespee word onlyisonce and approached n, given thre landed a job selling real estate our time See Business, dress. Gor federal prisocommitment Wha in the “Pops” Mitpeter, known for ut his In fron in our mid are blessed to ers,” said ,” Wha ch. ation and attendees after the meeting In court documentsthe cited byt of the several rton re- can work and werton. “We will provhistory of this grea have them Saturday Sunday REGIONAL TEMPS Friday st.” months in supervised prob page 8. ding-roo The trumstories, talked abol, who downtowa stan will prov people is explain m himself. Philadelphia Inquirer, Burlington only audi LITTLE ROCK H-56 L-34 H-51 L-30 H-36 L-30 n to pus e that the e that governmentt well years of 00. mun jokes and ship with Mitchel o ence ity College,camIn world of runof ruling, confidence gathered Wharton -placed.” SouthwJudge o Georgia Ma his Surrick de-at makes the claim ofthat discriminaNASHVILLE H-40 L-26 H-39 L-25 H-35 L-27 o fined $2,0rough-and-tumble mell and est Tenn relation one of the longest ory – Wharton of our H-47 - L-35s o he will No gains mad showed optimism e Williams •Tram Trey Songz is focused on even also o hist the clared that it should be putesse to ejurors work to tion “because of his race.” ated JACKSON, MS H-61 L-35 H-58 L-38 H-47 L-37 in H-49 - L-40 Com In outl A.M. Cloud tics, o L-37 e ios oper ined to duri they whi poli imp mov ers d le reflectin ng his prev key initiativa mayor. He lement over wn as Show H-54 becausethings. in 2011. See rding stud determine if Burlington y greater disciplinary action Eco was e Mem takenphistoahea Mrs. Will g on key SCLC boar survived ious cited es the next fourwas ding ning recoRecording, also kno TEMPS on Partly Cloud d. nomic deve “victim 102nd birth iams will cele NASHVILLE y Sunday runs investments in impressive jobs partial term as city against at least talen two Africanpeople stan to salute ry) year Gordon have Royal lopment, of political correctness brate her TEMPS Saturda the face of growth and . See pho tatdeve ng the last Arts & Leisure, page 12. LITTLE ROCK y Sunday Friday H-51 H-40 H-44 L-33 lopmentamok” –neig as ishbor argued the lawsuit – new programs for “When day on June 18. American employees Fox29 global were amo business Hi Records to by Wiley Hen hoodinrevi ture of and rete H-55 L-31 E 3A excelawFriday Saturda talization . (Pho contacted she turned 101, ntio a victim ofn,“his own poor judg- tinued reduction community revirecession, as well llence or who used the “n” ties, word, the H-39 H-56 L-35 C ON• PAG in gov Page 15A taliz as H-59 L-38 H-51 said in crime The Grizz deal with drama on ernment and creating a cul-, ments the city ident Oba the White House,somebody SEE SCL suit asserts. as some of ation and a conwere the progress. Wharton ofment.” his 100 days can because of the accompl topJan. and off the court. See Sports, photo. Shema sent her a nice and PresThe trial is set on prio18. the disAccording to the Inquirer, plantotostart ria renewedtake pride in. Wha lette ish’s real prou achieveafutuFox sens Oss rton The Inquirer quoted page 15. pute began after Robin Taylor, the ia e d of that,” r and said of confiden re Will that said ce, no-excus thought she iams. “Mother reporter who covered the staged bur- spokeswoman who said the station Trey Songz es wou ld president. live to see never ial, used the phrase “the ‘n’ word” looks forward to presenting its case. SEE CIT a blac night. I donThat was such a Y ON PAG wonderf k ’t think she E2 will ever ul forSEE HIS TORY ON PAGE 2
VOL. 59,
No. 3
referendum election that gives citizens the choice of whether to order Memphis City Schools to keep or surrender the charter to operate the city system. Flinn on Wednesday showed up at a special called meeting of the Shelby County Election
by Tony Jones
Special to the Tri-State Defender
ared dead ousands fe th f o MEA calls ‘mass s d e r Hund meeting’ against
charter surrender
LC National SCimage tarnishes ng Ki of Dr.
Mayor shares Memphis peek
AFRICAN AMER HISTORY ICAN MONTH
running er off and n r Tu . p e R ‘New’ S IN POLITIC
With pleasure, sir…
Zach Randolph was in street clothes when the Sacramento Kings came to Memphis in 2018, as the franchise had decided to give its younger players more playing time to develop. He was later traded to Dallas, where he was immediately bought out – effectively ending his career. (Photo: Warren Roseborough)
‘Be the one’ call resounds at Strickland’s Prayer Breakfast by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Whether the biblical story of Jeremiah’s running search through the streets of Jerusalem is new to you or familiar territory, you likely would have been moved by the energy that the Prayer Breakfast for Memphis keynoter put into the telling of his version on Tuesday morning. The Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Baptist Church in Southaven, drew upon the Scripture’s account of the prophet Jeremiah’s intense search for one “honest” person as a way to avert the destruction of Jerusalem. Orr ran through the audience at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis encouraging his listeners to “be the one” today. “Well, here’s my question for you this morning, ‘What about you?’ If God promised he would spare Memphis judgment in 2020, if He could only find one, what about you? If God promised that He would strengthen our schools and keep the streets safe and bring economic boom to Memphis if He could only find one just
say
UR REASED YO
KING JR. INC
VOL. 61,
n/Inserts
SEE ZACH ON PAGE 3
$1.00
Decade of Januaries yield 2020 pointers VOL. 60, No. 2
lesmith@tsdmemphis.com
If we’re being honest, recent news of Zach Randolph’s retirement is a surprise to pretty much no one. In fact, given how it was announced, you might be Lee Eric tempted to beSmith lieve Randolph was surprised he actually had to say it. TMZ.com is known for posting up with cameras outside various spots in Los Angeles, then ambushing whatever celeb comes out of the door and peppering them with as many questions as possible until the celeb walks off or threatens violence. Anyway, this TMZ reporter caught Z-Bo on his way into a hotel, trying
www.tsdmemphis.com
Feeling it
For Wharto moment is n, this his time
deeply...
kajanaku@tsdmemphis.com
T
hrough the ages, sages of myriad backgrounds have counseled – in various forms – that people must have their minds “right” for what is in front of them. For many, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a shared point of reference for getting one’s mind “right” relative to the American Dream and it’s conceptual associate – the pursuit of happiness. Each January since 1986, there has been a federal holiday honoring Dr. King, whose assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968 has the city inextricably interwoven with his
January 14 -
2
20, 2016
om
lesmith@tsdmemph
iative in public
adband init retary touts bro
HUD sec
Nashville visit
connected to
Paying the price…
of Memphis’ The University n shows his Shaq Goodwi Tarrant Jr.’s disgust of Ricky the final busted lip during down-to-theseconds of the against Temwire struggle orum on ple at the FedExFGoodwin night. Wednesday and grabbed 13 scored 22 points and Tarrant’s 10 rebounds d the winning points include Tigers came the as free throws Owls to win 67-65. back on the David C. Minkin) (Photo:
a’s State of
President Obam
s Black legislator focus on criminal justice, education
housing
Union pledge
Perspective, Page
VOL. 66, No. 2
tual insight, wisd
Dr. King’s spiri
by Lee Eric Smith is.com
Dr. Martin L. King Jr. killed in Memphis by the lack of courage.
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h Rep. Barbara Rep. Raumes Cooper Akbari to boil him it is so tempting sound bytes. down into a fewgot stuck with That’s how he moniker “The the cliché of a Dreamer.” rememwant to minimize I’m us, don’t I of Rev. Like so many that dream, or and legacy of the power of in striving for bering the life King Jr. he did work the the Luther that to just Dr. Martin 1969, I belong racial justice. It’s to know Dr. 109th Being born in n of people more that I get speeches and Second session of the very first generatio on! never been a living King through his l Assembly is I revere for whom he’s been a largwritings, the greater spiritual Genera being – he’s alwaysan icon of the Lee Eric him as a profound whom, like er-than-life legend, Smith that we are teacher – a man rather quaint notion Eric Smith after. first, and skin pattern my life he became a civil by Lee sdmemphis.com all HUMAN much later. Jesus, I strive to that before or a lesmith@t pigmentation Barack Prize winner, … It’s easy to forget a Nobel Peace In an age where end of a thing as a “black walls such room activist, is the living rights there curIf Obama nears it comes to the y, fixture on African-American he was a preacher. agenda” when the Tennessee leghis historic presidenc of He was a minister. an era when blacks heavily on of in- rent session He was a man and islature, it will focus had to drink n and tackling credible insight from different bolstering educatio criminal eted issue of depth, and without water founthat, the multifac understanding tains seems justice. to Nashville of our society misses like ancient Lawmakers returned slate full of a the true genius is earlier this week with the second history. By to tackle during e General the man – which compari son, focus items why I want to King session of 109th Tennesse there’s a geng a possible fuel on Reverend plus Assembly, includin eration of young up , a budget surplus for a bit. in tax increase hot-button partisan ispeople coming no usual It was 2009, now who have 11, nasty and the health care coverage, same the midst of a of sues rights. memory of Sept. and abortion Caucus whose and brutal divorce. 2001 – but been de- sex marriage e Black I had already the But the Tennesse is focusing its lives have ways cided to meet with of State Legislators n that will shaped by it in circumstances en- efforts on key legislatio they can’t imagine. ment School your taught – loving impact the Achieve spectrum The great speaker was, the principles that Jesus who seek to harm you. District, as well as a broad criminal that Dr. King for those do. to address emies, prayingfor they know not what they of programs reducing until you actual- justice – measures such Lu- Forgive them, well and good, sentences for princiThe Martin MeThat all sounds a reason why theseconflict: young- some offendther King, Jr. to do it. There’s human “Some in try ly ly changing it feels morial is locatedc ples aren’t practiced common sters are get- ers, constilove someone while what in West Potomag- it’s counterintuitive todestroy you. It’s difficult to ting 50-year a felony, to for Washin tutes trying Park in be praying sentences,” helping south- like they’re who seems to ton, D.C., Cooper said. and- o f f e n d e r s pray for someone pill to forgive someone x e asking west of the Nation- your downfall. It’s a bitter what they’re doing. “We’re official n get hired and books to know exactly al Mall. Its for a reductio 1964 who seemsfocused, I read a lot of spiritual text), out of jail. But address is to 30 years. to stay To stay Av(an ancient Hindu “ W e ’ r e Independencecom- – “The Bhagavad Gita”Chinese book of wisdom), we also have at Jesus’ Ching” (a enue, S.W., have some em- looking justhe “The Tao Te of the Buddha and of course, ting criminal ready nt memora ployme the the teachings tice reform,” enactment of Act for (offenders) District ON PAGE 3 re- said Civil Rights when they’re SEE DR. KING 91 State Rep. of 1964. leased... Raumesh Akir s, also vice-cha bari of Memphi“We’re looking at of the caucus.ex-offenders, to see programs for help folks who have will how we can service, which completed theirreduce recidivism.” hopefully help Cooper (Disthe State Rep. Barbara that said s) stulaws Speaking to trict 86, Memphi look to loosen dents at Nash-d caucus will also juveniles up for far ville’s Stratforabout that often lock who can borrow High School too long. their rs are getting a gap for students devices from ac“Some youngste ConnectHome, computers and s,” Cooper said. ry have Internet ig n to HUD Secreta 50-year sentence Erik Schelz schools, but don’t for a reductio d Press bring them home. Julian Castro to “We’re askingwe also have to have The Associate cess once they that college and work of said, “We need 30 years. But ent ready for (ofCastro noted gly require – The secretary equip all of our some employmthey’re released. We NASHVILLE ent of Housing and applications increasin and that online out when people, our filled Departm young fenders) to be the U.S. broadband to try to help ent visited a Nash- forms whether they’re need to do more Urban Developm Wednesday to tout making free or low-cost with housing will give rich or poor, youngsters.” ville high school Obama’s initiative available in publicchance at succeed” the caucus came Just last month, ASD, bolstered Internet access. lPresident Barack d Internet access to students a better the (Photo: Metropo down hard on to bring broadban ilt study indiing in life. better at housing. ment do Vanderb public to in itan Develop by a recent students living spoke to students “They’re going greater opportuat ASD schools / Housing Agency cating that students the same Julian Castro School about the school and have a and boostng mostly at college ok) High to performi have Facebo going are being nity of at Stratford likely would he said. “That’s program that’s taken Nash- low levels they ConnectHome communities around ing their careers,”but I’m confident d access,” said com- had their school not been goal, members have broadban rolled out in 28 in Nashville a long-term right, we can have that Barry. “My the ASD. Caucus ns online.” ville Mayor Megan the country, including to back down to make sure over by if we do this low-income America for the ASD is to continue housing officials to more and Memphis. have a United States impact.” Federal and city with Internet ser- mitmentputting broadband accessand called looking to take over that part of Obama’s from “We cannot Castro’s visit was insisting d we are it the most – have been working only if you have Community” road to bring broadbanby the people who need who don’t have struggling schools, Internet “Cabinet in your of America where s State of the vice providers Nashville improve first. is a broaddo you have the people Tuesday’ in are ASD the “We those housing following some money tour funding Castro said. which the president to public But education be tackled during access at home,”of our young people, Union address in you it.” ration’s “bold around April. comes when er issue and will and need to equip all rich or poor, with In- touted his administ said. The cau“Opportunity more students for this session, Akbari whether they’re new steps to get for more funding cus will push ternet access.” is meant to bridge program The 2 TORS ON PAGE SEE LEGISLA
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REAM BEYOND THE D
and honest person, could you be the one?” “Could you be the one in your home, the one in your class, the one in your company, the one in your church, the one in your neighborhood – could you be the one person that is righteous and honest enough that God could use in order to bring about
legacy in a unique way. With that connection in mind and as the decade of the 2010’s closed, The New TriState Defender reckoned that one measure of the last 10 years would be to review each of its January editions during that period. In this – the first edition of the new year and of the new decade – we share our January front pages of the 2010s with the thought that they yield pointers for determining and dealing with what is in front of us. We do so with limited commentary, wanting to give readers a reasonably clear path for drawing their own right-minded conclusions about where we go from here. SEE PAGES 4–5
President Obama’s final State of the Union. See OPIN5. ION, Pages 4,
See COMMUNITY, 13, Pages 12 and for a list of MLK. events to attend
Mayor Jim Strickland was the host and the Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr was the keynote speaker at the Prayer Breakfast for Memphis on Tuesday morning. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
Use of ‘n’ word in television workplace sets stage for trial
by Karanja A. Ajanaku
VOL. 65, No.
‘Matriarch of living s history’ honored
January 12-18, 2017
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FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF
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by John Semien
Special to The
New Tri-State
Withers’ legac y explored anew
(Photo: Robert Earl)
by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newsire Contributor
“Yes, we did!” Those were the words that Barack Hussein Obama ended his farewell speech to America on Tuesday, eight years after he won the presidency, campaigning on the slogan, “Yes, we can!” For nearly an hour, the nation’s 44th Commander-In-Chief reminded everyone that history will not only show him to be the first — and perhaps only — Black president, but time will reveal just how well a job Obama did after inheriting a nation at war, reeling in debt and cowering in fear every time Homeland Security raised the threat level. Passing the Commander-In-Chief baton to Donald Trump has revealed that a large swath of Americans already miss Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the First Family. “It’s easy to lose sight of that in D the blizzard of our minute-to-minute MEMPHIS WEEKEN SUNDAY Y Washington news cycles. But America SATURDA FRIDAY is a story told not minute to minute, but generation to generation,” Obama told the more nearly 18,000 spectators who o - L-21o crammed into Chicago’s McCormick o H-39 o H-43o - L-26 Mostly Sunny Place Lakeside Center to see him deliver H-59o - L-31 Mostly Cloudy Showers Sunday his farewell address, while tens of millions Friday Saturday REGIONAL TEMPS L-25 H-45 L-25 more watched on television. H-61 L-33 H-45 LITTLE ROCK L-15 Obama continued: “We’ve made L-32 H-42 L-22 H-31 NASHVILLE H-53 L-33 H-54 L-28 America a better, stronger place for H-65 L-40 H-55 JACKSON, MS the generations that will follow. We’ve run our leg in a long relay of progress,
knowing that our work will always be unfinished.” Obama noted that he fulfilled his goal of making quality, affordable health care not a privilege, but a right. After nearly 100 years of talk, and decades of trying by presidents of both parties, that’s exactly what he did, administration officials said. Obama said the hardscrabble streets of cities like Chicago is where change happens. “After eight years as your President, I still believe that. And it’s not just my belief. It’s the beating heart of our American idea — our bold experiment in self-government,” he said. “It’s the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It’s the insistence that these rights, while selfevident, have never been self-executing; that ‘We, the People,’ through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union.” The president highlighted some historic achievements during his two-term tenure, noting that America is safer. He mentioned the dismantling of al Qaeda’s leadership, including the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. Obama,also spoke of his support of the historic and sweeping rights and protections for LGBT Americans, and making the country’s immigration system fairer and safer while also tackling poverty and investing in communities. Expanding voting rights, increasing
transparency in government and reversing electoral gerrymandering that has contributed to increased polarization in Congress, were also among the issues the president tackled in his farewell address. In speaking of his successor, Obama vowed a peaceful transition. However, he also told Americans not to simply go along with Trump. “Democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders quarreled and comprised, and expected us to do the same,” Obama said. “But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity; the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.” The president received some of the loudest cheers of the night when he spoke about the racial tensions in the country. “After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America,” he said. “Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.” While progress has been made, Obama said, “we’re not where we need to be.” Obama added: “All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking, White middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves.”
With Dr. King in mind, home ownership still more dream than reality by Kenneth Worles
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Not long ago, I saw a comment on an online MLK Day article about the rise in Coverage protests for black civil rights. “We gave you Religion, Page 10 Community, Page 11 a president,” wrote the Sports, Page 14 commenter. “We gave you your damn Oscar. What more do you want?” Never mind the White House. What many black people still long for is any house at all. In 1966 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expounded on this dream. “We are tired of living in rat-infested slums,” he said. “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children.” That door to opportunity is home ownership — which, for most Americans, is their single most valuable asset. Yet more than half of African Americans don’t own homes. A recent report by the Institute for Policy Studies highlights that only 41 percent of black families are homeowners, compared to 71 percent of white families. White people don’t own homes at greater rates because they picked themselves up by their bootstraps while black people sat around. After the Great Depression, the federal government started subsidizing housing for white folks to help them get back on their feet. Wealth inequality expert Chuck Collins, a coauthor of the IPS report, explained on NPR’s Marketplace: “In the
For a transcript of the full speech, visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/farewell.
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Mayor Strickland – officially – going for two Defender
A day after he officially rolled out word that he is term, Mayor Jim seeking a second Strickland fielded questions from The Defender, blending New Tri-State into his answers the basic tenet of his re-electio n pitch – to “keep the momentum going.” The first question directed to him was this: “What significant policy have you advanced you believe best in your term that impacts the African-American community in Memphis?” Strickland’s answer packaged “a real focus on violent crime,” “economic developm ent “African-American and jobs” and entrepreneurship.” by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell Public safety Special to The New Tri-State is still the numDefender ber one concern On the eve of for all MemKing Jr.’s actual Dr. Martin Luther phians and his allegations of birthday (Jan. 15), versus argument counterintelligence adminis tration s of the FBI were of unwilling victim has made some during a discussiopassionately voiced important strides erbach’s new book,n of Preston Lautforward in ad“Bluff City: Secret Life of dressing the Ernest Withers.” The isA capacity sue, he said. b o o k - s i g n i n crowd filled the g “Putting peospace at Novel Jim (Photo: Bob ple into jobs, Fitch photogr Strickland Memphis for the aphy archive, 18,000 © Stanford Univers event that yieldmore ity Libraries) Memphians working, ed riveting exintervening in the lives of changes regardmore ing the life and increasing programm young people, ing for young actions of Withpeople and giving people real second ers. The late and chances,” Stricklan d said. “We’ve renowned civil had successes on all rights-era phoas part of the crime of those points tographer had plan and last year we got a little pretty much undip in the overall Preston violent crime rate. Lauterbach fettered access “I think over to Dr. King and the stay the course… long term if we movement figures , we will get a national and local. significant reduction Lauterbach’s book in violent crime,” Strickland said anced and unbiased attempts a balin a telephone perspective on what Withers’ interview Wednesd legacy will be: ay morning. a traitorous informan “I think the economic t who spied for boom that’s FBI or a blackmai the going on in this city is a second do as he was told. l victim forced to sue that helps isthe African-American There is no doubt community,” he said. “…$15 billion funneled informati whether Withers in development on to the FBI Dr. Martin Luther was paid. But, and we can continue and says this momentum his assassinationKing Jr. was born 90 reasons why evolved Lauterbach, the because about his impact here in Memphis, years ago on Tuesday (Jan. given us free workforc the state has did. It was a combinatjust as the man e development doorstep. From from five MemphiansThe New Tri-State Defende15). In this the 51st year in the form of factors, he contends. ion of several who have crossed left to right: since r sought free community 95; Norvelle the “oldest old” snippet reflections colSanders, 88; Barbara Cooper, 89; Rev. lege and tech schools.” “Ernest Withers Opal Carpent threshold or Dr. was James a man er Mayfield, L Netters, 92; on the with an extreme hustle Strickland said 90. Dr. Erma Clanton bone,” said the he plans to continue by Dr. Sybil C. author. “You have to , to support African-A remember that Mitchell merican entreSpecial to The he had a wife and eight preneurship, first absolutely committe New Tri-State children to feed. in city governme Defender d to changing for was paid, but Mr. He with focus on nt that affect the the better factors contracting with quality and length what he needed Withers was doing The life expectanc women and minorityof lives, particular those of African to do to feed his y at birth for an owned businesse Americans. ly ily.” famman born as Dr. African-American s. “When I took Statistics suggest Martin Luther office six percent Documents that while life King would have been contracts,” went of expectancies have about 47, according Jr. was in 1929 improved across the board death chronicle released after his to of the National for decades, d to Vol. 50, No. can-owned businesse African-Amerideep roots remain. Vital Statistics ship with the FBI.his secret relationThe five, ninetysom disparities with s, now it is 18 Reports. For women, 6 women would have been Those percent, documen ething he said. formed the basis interviewed 49. it ts men and The ages for white this story acknowle by The New Tri-State Defender Creating the 800 naan: How the for “A Spy in Camen and white for Initiative, which dged changes FBI Used a Famous have been 60 and women would lenges when is looking to and Photographer remaining 64, asked to reflect respectively. grow chalto Infiltrate the Dr. King’s tragic in the context of ican-owned businesseAfrican-AmerCivil Dr. King. death here in Memphis s into larger 1968 came when ones, also helps on April 4, he was 39. He SEE BOOK ON on the employm died – as he lived ent side, he said. PAGE 9 – “All of these programs SEE MLK90 ON PAGE 2 (are) trying to build wealth in the African-A meri-
Undercover agent for FBI or forced to be a spy?
President Obama rallies all Americans in farewell speech from Chicago
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Dr. King viewe d through ‘ninetysometh ing’ lenses
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