The New Tri-State Defender - August 19-25, 2021

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August 19 - 25, 2021

VOL. 70, No. 33

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COVID-19 UPDATE

Pandemic rages on!

Conflicting positions about masks, health mandates

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Greater Memphis’ relationship with the COVID-19 virus mostly continued to deteriorate this week, with suggestions that even worse may be ahead depending upon decisions about how to slow the spread and individual adherence to any such measures.

On Wednesday, Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor announced a pending change to the existing health directive, which goes no further than recommending the wearing of masks in public, indoor spaces. Now on tap is a universal mask mandate.

The new, in-door mask requirement will go into effect in Shelby County on Friday (Aug. 20) at 7 a.m. The intent is to slow the spread of the coronavirus’ Delta variant and relieve stress on area hospitals, according to an alert on the health department’s website.

Masks at outdoor events will remain optional, but are recommended for unvaccinated people.

Meanwhile, Shelby County Schools’ existing mask mandate remains in effect, said Supt. Dr. Joris Ray. And that is the case despite Gov. Bill Lee earlier this week issuing an executive order allowing

SEE COVID ON PAGE 2

Nashville Asst. Dist. Attys. Ronald Dowdy and David Jones are pursuing a second-degree murder charge against unlicensed security guard Gregory Livingston, who is represented by local attorney Leslie Ballin (left). (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

Murder-case hearing for security guard set for Sept. 28

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, who pushed past his qualms about getting vaccinated, talks with Dr. LaTonya Washington, chief medical officer at Methodist Hospital North. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell)

Hesitancy aside, Rep. Parkinson gets vaccinated

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Tennessee state Rep. Antonio Parkinson D-Memphis) has been a vaccine hold-out. But on Wednesday (Aug. 18), Parkinson took his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

“LaTonya, do I get a lollipop?” he asked Dr. LaTonya Washington, chief medical officer for Methodist Hospital North.

In a conference room near the front entrance, Parkinson held court with members of the media and hospital staff as his first shot was administered.

“The reason I am doing this is because I want to encourage everyone to go and get vaccinated, and take your family members with you,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson admitted he has been among the group of African Americans who did not rush to take a vaccine because of the country’s sketchy medical history with people of color.

“I, myself, just like a lot of peo-

ple of color, had concerns when the vaccination first came out,” said Parkinson. “There is a lot of history in regards to how people of color have been treated medically and with the administration of different drugs and experiments through the U.S. government.”

That has been the cause of this hesitation, Parkinson said, and many in the African-American community are holding on to it.

“Another reason for my hesitation in getting the shot is that I wanted to see what the end result would be,” Parkinson said. “Basically, I wanted to see if anyone would grow an arm out of the middle of their back,” Parkinson said.

Washington said the event was staged in that facility because Parkinson has a good history and relationship with Methodist North, which is in Raleigh. He represents state House District 98, which includes Raleigh, North Memphis, and parts of Bartlett and Berclair communities.

SEE VACCINE ON PAGE 2

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Nashville Asst. Dist. Attys. Ronald Dowdy and David Jones now are on point for the prosecution of Gregory Livingston, the unlicensed security guard who killed unarmed Alvin Motley Jr. during a dispute at a Kroger fueling center.

Shelby County General Sessions Court Judge Louis J. Montesi Jr. on Tuesday set the next court hearing for Sept. 28.

That move capped the second hearing of the week for Livingston, who faces a second-degree murder charge for fatally shooting Motley – reportedly over loud music – at the Kroger Fuel Center at 6660 Poplar Ave. on Aug. 7.

Dowdy and Jones’ first court appearance included them fending off a defense motion to bar the release of three videos – surveillance footage from Kroger and videos that witnesses turned over to authorities.

The September hearing is expected to be, in part, a forum for the matter of Livingston’s $1.8 million bond.

Defense attorney Leslie Ballin has said he will seek a reduction.

The killing of the 48-year-old Motley, who was visiting here from the Chicago area, has echoed far beyond Memphis. Motley’s family has hired renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. At a Memphis rally on Monday (Aug. 16), Crump, with Motley’s father and other family

Defense attorney Leslie Ballin guides his client, Gregory Livingston, through some paperwork. members alongside, said, “Yet again, it is another unarmed, Black person killed, profiled because of the color of his skin. …

“How many more times do Alvin Motley Jr. we have to face the senseless, unnecessary unjustifiable leaving of our children in the morgue and families with holes in

their hearts?”

On Wednesday (Aug. 18), Crump provided remarks and a call to action regarding the case during a public memorial for Motley in Hillside, Illinois. The Rev. Al Sharpton, president/founder of the National Action Network (NAN), delivered the eulogy.

The entry of Dowdy and Jones into the case was the latest twist on the prosecution side. The first was the decision by Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich to re-

SEE COURT ON PAGE 2

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The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 2

NEWS

Shelby County Gen. Sessions Court Judge Louis J. Montesi Jr. has the attention of defendant Gregory Livingston and his attorney, Leslie Ballin. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

COURT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT cuse her office.

Weirich did so after learning that an investigator in her office might be a witness in the case because of an off-duty job with Allied Security, the company linked with hiring Livingston. Allied subsequently has said an unnamed subcontractor actually hired Livingston.

At Monday’s hearing, it was made known that Dist. Atty.

Gen. Glenn Funk of Nashville would handle the prosecution.

Ballin, who is defending Livingston along with attorney Steve Farese, told reporters afterwards that he and Funk had known each other “for more than 40 years.”

Appointed to handle the case by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, Funk was at liberty to assign the case, which he did, choosing Dowdy and Jones.

Part of the earlier backdrop was Memphis Branch NAACP President Van Turner Jr. ex-

pressing public concern about “a prosecutor coming from any other place in Tennessee” having the full appreciation for “what this case means to the residents of Shelby County.”

Tuesday’s 9 a.m. hearing was delayed 90 minutes as Dowdy and Jones traveled from Nashville. Ballin seized the prosecutors’ attention when he asked Montesi to stop the release of videos associated with the case, fearing an adverse effect on potential jurors.

Montesi replied that a protective order would be needed, asking Ballin if that is what he sought. Ballin replied, “Yes, your honor.”

Dowdy told Montesi that the prosecution did not want a protective order to be put in place, arguing in part that doing so would hamper efforts to share the videos with Motley’s family. He also detailed a 2018 instance in which the district attorney’s office in Nashville released video of a white police officer fatally shooting an armed Black

man from behind. The video’s release, he asserted, had not tainted the jury pool or the outcome.

Montesi, who did not rule on the motion, directed the prosecution to share with the defense the information about the Nashville scenario.

Meanwhile, Livingston, who had not completed the process for being a licensed security guard in Tennessee stays in jail. Witnesses said he and Motley exchanged words after Livingston made it known that he wanted the music turned down in the car in which Motley was a passenger.

Motley reportedly exited the car, with a beer and a cigarette, saying to Livingston that the two should discuss the matter “like men.” Witnesses told police Motley was not physically threatening and that he was not holding a weapon when Livingston pulled a gun and shot him in the chest.

During Monday’s hearing, Ballin rebutted assertions that the killing was racially motivated.

VACCINE

COVID

Parkinson called and expressed that he wanted to get vaccinated, Washington said.

Although arrangements were made for Parkinson, Methodist North is not offering vaccines to the general public.

“We do have an initiative, so if patients are hospitalized and they would like to receive the vaccine, then we will give them the vaccine before discharge,” said Washington.

“There are a lot of our community partners that do provide vaccinations, and we recommend that those who would like the vaccine contact them,” she said.

Vaccines are available at CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, and the City of Memphis at the Pipkin Building.

Parkinson said the motivator for getting the shot at this time was the surging numbers of infections by the COVID19’s Delta variant.

“This one is different from the first version of COVID-19,” said Parkinson. “This is a more formidable strain that is leaving a wasteland in its path. I felt like it was time to go on and make this move. I wanted to make this a public plea for others to go ahead and get the vaccination.”

Shelby County’s seven-day rolling average currently is 638 cases per day. Of the total active cases, 24.9 percent are among children 0-17 years old.

The Shelby County Health Department Wednesday (Aug. 18) reported seven new COVID-related deaths. Most of the new deaths and cases are among people who have not been vaccinated, officials said.

Parkinson lamented that

parents to opt out of masking for their children in school.

As local officials huddled and conferred about next steps, on Wednesday 448 new cases were reported, and seven deaths. Acute care beds registered at 94 percent capacity; ICU beds at 95 percent. The total number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized was 643.

Lee dropped word of his executive order, No. 84, on Monday. It hit after public school systems in Memphis and Nashville earlier had mandated the wearing of masks in all of their respective schools.

The governor’s move kicked off a firestorm of negative reactions by school, city and county officials.

The Memphis City Council approved a resolution Tuesday opposing Lee’s executive order. That same day, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ Black Caucus announced its opposition to Lee’s opt-out order, with Tami Sawyer, the caucus’ chairperson, affirming support for SCS’s mask mandate, which was embraced as in place to protect the safety of students.

Lee’s order drove thousands of Tennessee physicians, nurses and health care professionals to draft a letter on Tuesday petitioning him to reconsider. However, there was no indication that Lee, who has resisted a Republican-pushed call for a special session to counter local mask mandates, was considering a course change.

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Stephen C. Threlkeld, who is affiliated with multiple

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

RN Arnold Pass administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Rep. Antonio Parkinson. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell) “this whole thing has become a political football that’s being punted back and forth,” he said.

“This is a public health issue. This is not a political issue,” Parkinson said. “The unfortunate thing is that while they are playing football back and forth, people’s family members are dying …We’re just encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.”

Parkinson continued, “We’re encouraging everyone to mask up, and make our community as safe as possible. Let’s get through it together. We can.”

Washington said a third shot, or a booster, is being recommended by the CDC “No matter which vaccine you took, a booster, or another dose is the recommendation of the CDC,” said Washington.

“Following this CDC guideline provides added protection.”

The Pipkin Building near the Old Fairgrounds is open Wednesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Shots are administered in a drive-thru format, and subjects do not have to exit their cars.

No appointment is necessary.

For additional information on vaccines, call the Shelby County Health Department at: 901-222-SHOT (7468).

Nashville Asst. Dist. Attys. Ronald Dowdy (right) and David Jones make their first appearance as special prosecutors in the second-degree murder case against unlicensed security guard Gregory Livingston, who killed Alvin Motley Jr. on Aug. 7.

“It just so happens that the victim is an African-American male and Mr. Livingston is

white,” said Ballin.

“If there are some other facts that say this was racially moti-

vated, please tell me what they are, because I haven’t seen any which support that claim.”

hospitals in the Memphis area, said hospital numbers have risen so dramatically that there are more ICU patients than there are available ICU beds.

On Wednesday, he sounded the alarm about a growing number of patients in their 20s, 30s and teens in ICU beds on ventilators.

The acute nature of the local situation got an additional spotlight as several suburban school districts released figures on Tuesday of students “opting out” of wearing masks following Lee’s executive order. That same day, 241 students in Collierville schools were listed as in quarantine.

Then came Wednesday and the announcement by US

health officials and medical experts that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be offered this fall, subject to authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration and sign off from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans, beginning the week of September 20, and starting eight months after an individual’s second dose,” read the statement issued by public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinat-

ed earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster,” the HHS experts detailed in the statement.

“We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of longterm care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them.”

According to county health officials, new COVID-19 cases are consistently positive among the majority of unvaccinated individuals.

The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 3

NEWS

Desperation, pressure for aid increase in Haiti after quake

by Mark Stevenson and Evens Sanon The Associated Press

LES CAYES, Haiti – Pressure for a coordinated response to Haiti’s deadly weekend earthquake mounted Wednesday as more bodies were pulled from the rubble and the injured continued to arrive from remote areas in search of medical care. Aid was slowly trickling in to help the thousands who were left homeless.

Angry crowds massed at collapsed buildings, demanding tarps to create temporary shelters that were needed more than ever after Tropical Storm Grace brought heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, compounding the impoverished Caribbean nation’s misery.

One of the first food deliveries by local authorities – a couple dozen boxes of rice and pre-measured, bagged meal kits – reached a tent encampment set up in one of the poorest areas of Les Cayes, where most of the warren’s one-story, cinderblock, tin-roofed homes were damaged or destroyed by Saturday’s quake.

But the shipment was clearly insufficient for the hundreds who have lived under tents and tarps for five days.

“It’s not enough, but we’ll do everything we can to make sure everybody gets at least something,” said Vladimir Martino, a representative of the camp who took charge of the precious cargo for distribution.

Gerda Francoise, 24, was one of dozens who lined up in the wilting heat in hopes of receiving food. “I don’t know what I’m going to get, but I need something to take back to my tent,” said Francoise. “I have a child.”

On Tuesday night, Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency put the number of deaths from Saturday’s earthquake at 1,941. It also said 9,900 were injured, many of whom waited for hours outside in the stifling heat for medical assistance.

Foreign aid was arriving, but slowly. U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crews concentrated on the most urgent task, ferrying the injured to less-stressed medical facilities. A U.S. Navy amphibious warship, the USS Arlington, was expected to head for Haiti on Wednesday with a surgical team and

landing craft.

Volunteers found the body of a man in the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in Les Cayes, where the stench of death hung in the tropical heat.

Officials said the magnitude 7.2 earthquake destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged nearly 5,000, leaving about 30,000 families homeless. Hospitals, schools, offices and churches also were demolished or badly damaged.

The quake wiped out many of the sources of food and income that many of the poor depend on for survival in Haiti, which is already struggling with the coronavirus, gang violence and the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

“We don’t have anything.

Even the (farm) animals are gone. They were killed by the rockslides,” said Elize Civil, 30, a farmer in the village of Fleurant, near the quake’s epicenter.

Civil’s village and many of those in the hard-hit Nippes province depend on livestock such as goats, cows and chickens for much of their income, said Christy Delafield, who works with the U.S.-based relief organization Mercy Corps.

The group is considering cash distributions to allow residents to continue buying local products from small local businesses that are vital to their communities.

Large-scale aid has not yet reached many areas, and one dilemma for donors is that pouring huge amounts of staple foods purchased abroad could, in the long run, hurt local producers.

“We don’t want to flood the area with a lot of products coming in from off the island,” Delafield said. She said aid efforts must also take a longer view for areas like Nippes, which has been hit in recent years by ever-stronger cyclical droughts and soil erosion. Support for adapting farming practices to the new climate reality – with less reliable rainfall and more tropical storms – is vital, she said.

“The drought, followed by the earthquake, followed by the storm has caused the soil to be stripped,” Delafield said.

At the public hospital in L’Asile, deep in a remote stretch of countryside in the southwest, people were arriving from isolated villages with broken arms and legs.

Hospital director Sonel Fe-

A person who was injured in the earthquake is carried away after getting an x-ray at the General Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

vry said five such patients showed up Tuesday. Grinding poverty, poor roads and faith in natural medicine worsen the problems.

“We do what we can, remove the necrotized tissue and give them antibiotics and try to get them a splint,” Fevry said, adding that access to the facility by road is difficult and not everyone can make it.

Mercy Corps said about half of L’Asile’s homes were destroyed and 90% were affected in some way. Most public buildings where people would normally shelter also were destroyed.

The obstetrics, pediatric and operating wing at the L’Asile hospital collapsed, though everyone made it out. Despite the damage, the hospital was able to treat about 170 severely injured quake victims in improvised tents set up on the grounds of the facility.

The nearby countryside was devastated: In one 10-mile (16-kilometer) stretch, not a single house, church, store or school was left standing.

The U.S. Geological Survey said a preliminary analysis of satellite imagery after the earthquake “revealed at least 150 landslides west of the town of L’Asile in Département des Nippes and hundreds of landslides in the mountains and south of Beaumont in Department de la Grand’Anse.”

Dr. Barth Green, President and co-founder of Project Medishare, an organization that has worked in Haiti since 1994 to improve health services, said among the most pressing needs was medical infrastructure.

“The hospitals are all broken and collapsed, the oper-

ating rooms aren’t functional, and then if you bring tents, it’s hurricane season, they can blow right away,” Green said.

He was hopeful the U.S. military would establish a field hospital in the affected area.

He said the interim Haitian government was communicating well with them, “but there’s no doubt that they’re finding their way too.”

“We have hundreds of medical volunteers, but the Haitian government tells us they don’t need them. But we’re still deploying along with other organizations,” said Green, who is also the executive dean of Global Health and Community Service at the University

People injured in the earthquake are attended outside the Ofatma Hospital because some interior walls were cracked by the earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) of Miami. He sensed caution on the part of the government after bad experiences with outside aid following previous disasters.

Etzer Emile, a Haitian economist and professor at Quisqueya University, a private institution in the capital of Port-au-Prince, said the disaster will increase Haitians’ dependence on remittances from abroad and assistance from international nongovernmental groups, likely making the

country even weaker.

“Foreign aid unfortunately never helps in the long term,” he said. “The southwest needs instead activities that can boost economic capacity for jobs and better social conditions.”

(Associated Press writers Trenton Daniel in New York; Christopher Sherman in Mexico City; and David McFadden in Baltimore contributed to this report.)

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PERSPECTIVE The New Tri-State Defender, August 19 - 25, 2021, Page 4

‘A lot of hard work lies ahead’ for SCS Making sense of sobering test scores

by Curtis Weathers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

As we welcomed back our students, educators, and their support teams last week, district TCAP test scores arrived on the public’s doorsteps as well. As predicted, the results were, again, sobering.

But before we dive into the numbers, I want to Curtis thank our students and Weathers educators for the job they did navigating their way through these most difficult times. Not only did they have an incredibly challenging 2020 school year, but they are returning to their school buildings and classrooms with just as much uncertainty as when they left over a month ago.

The pandemic is surging again, our political leaders continue to fight each other over vaccines and mask mandates, and our children are in the crossfire. Unbelievable!

However, our school leaders did an outstanding job moving our children forward academically, socially, and emotionally during one of the most disruptive periods in our nation’s history. Superintendent Joris Ray kept his promise and made the health and safety of our entire educational community (teachers, administrators, staff, and students) his number one priority during the entire school year.

Kudos to our superintendent and his leadership team!

But now, a lot of hard work lies ahead. There have been significant setbacks to our students’ academic preparations and are in serious need of repair. So, let’s take a look at the district’s test results and see where we are.

First, thank you again, parents. SCS had a 93% participation rate last year. Students were required to take the exams in person, and parents made sure their children showed up.

But, as predicted, scores on their TCAP exams declined across the board, with few exceptions. The school district had an overall drop in proficiency of 11 percentage points from 2019 to 2021, compared with a statewide decline of 5 percentage points. The most significant subject-area decline was in mathematics.

One in 10 SCS students in grades 3 through 12 performed at or above grade level in math and English, compared to about one in five in 2019.

Only 6.6% of students in grades three through 12 performed at or above grade level in math, compared to 22.4% in 2019.

I’ve made the point in the past that my biggest concerns were with our younger elementary students, second and third graders in particular.

These are grade levels where children are exposed to critical foundational learning opportunities that carry lifelong implications.

Two subject areas, English and mathematics, deserve special attention, mainly 3rd grade English and 7th-grade math.

Each of these subjects provides critical foundational learning opportunities for our children.

For example, meeting expectations in 3rd grade English is a strong indicator of future academic success, and seventh-grade math is foundational to higher-level mathematics like Algebra and Geometry.

Kudos to the state for disaggregating and highlighting those data points in their reports. I was thrilled to see that information!

Second and 3rd grade ELA scores show significant increases in students scoring at the lowest (Below) level. The rate of 2nd graders

Where did all the white people go?

SCS Supt. Dr. Joris Ray’s back-toschool tour brought him fist-to-fist with these elementary school students. (SCS Twitter) scoring Below increased 68%. The rate of 3rd graders scoring Below increased 47%. Students scoring Below in 2nd and 3rd grades are typically those who are not able to read proficiently. This is no small matter!

This is a critical developmental stage for a child. Of course, being at grade level is essential at any age, but third grade is the crucial year when students make the leap from learning to read to reading to learn.

It is an academic hurdle that, if missed, can leave children behind, struggling through basic letter recognition and sounds. Once children fall behind at this stage, it is very difficult to catch up, which is my primary concern.

Consider these statistics. According to some research data, 83 percent of low-income students test below proficient in reading at the start of fourth grade, as do 55 percent of moderate-and high-income students, which means overall, about two-thirds of U.S. children test below proficient in reading.

We undoubtedly met this grim statistic last school year with our 3rd-grade students. Only 14% of district third graders were proficient in reading last school year, and only 11% of that number were African Americans.

Nationwide, and certainly here in Shelby County, Black, Latino, and Native American students saw more significant test score declines last year than their white peers and peers of Asian descent. Schools in high-poverty areas, of course, saw more significant declines than schools in affluent areas.

These declines are significant and represent an incredible challenge for a school system to rectify, especially with the numbers being so large.

Shelby County Schools, however, does have a plan to address this issue. They hosted summer learning academies where about 9,000 students received extra instruction before the school year began. Keep in mind there are approximately 113,000 students who attend Shelby County Schools. Well over 8,000 are 3rd-grade students.

As part of its early literacy focus, the district is also adding more tutoring options and reducing the student to adult ratio in grades kindergarten through second grade. But more needs to be done.

These test results provide the most detailed look so far at how the pandemic has slowed student learning since the first COVID cases reared their ugly heads in March of 2020. These scores also confirm just how damaging the pandemic has been academically on historically underserved students.

But once again, I remind you, this pandemic is not over. People continue to get sick and die at an alarming rate despite their ability to get vaccinated. Some schools in our district are already under quarantine protocols. Unfortunately, we seem to be fighting each other more so than the virus.

But stay safe Memphis. Get vaccinated so we can move forward!

(Curtis Weathers is the education columnist for The New Tri-State Defender.)

Ranking the blackest and whitest Places in America, according to the new Census data

by Michael Harriot

AT A GLANCE

Theroot.com

Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau released its first trove of demographic data from the 2020 census, leading many to divest in cryptocurrency and put all of their money in the rapidly emerging washcloth market.

Michael But where are the white Harriot people going? What will the rising majority look like? And who will make all the soap if America is getting less white?

While many outlets focused on the news that, for the first time in a half-century, the country’s white population declined, we decided to take a look at some of the other facts that show the country evolving into the multiracial nation feared by Republicans.

While D.C. is still Chocolate City, Mississippi still ranks No. 1 as the state with the highest percentage of African American residents. Georgia and Louisiana are the only other states whose population is more than one-third Black, while Montana (.5 percent), Idaho, (.9 percent) and Wyoming (.9 percent) are the only three states that are less than one percent Black.

Where the white things are Maine continues its reign as the whitest state, with a white population of 92 percent.

The 10 states with the highest percentage of non-Hispanic white residents are: • Maine: 92 percent • Vermont 91.3 percent • New Hampshire 91.1 percent • West Virginia 90.9 percent • Wyoming 90.7 percent • Idaho 90.7 percent • Utah 88.7 percent • Iowa 88.7 percent • Montana 86.7 percent • Nebraska 86 percent Where did all the white people go?

As we previously noted, America’s white population has declined by 8.6 percent since the 2010 census, with Connecticut leading the way. However, don’t sell all your stock in Panera Bread just yet. There are still more than enough of D’Wights to go around.

The states with the largest percentage of decrease in white residents are: Connecticut: The state lost 10.5 percent of its white population...or maybe someone called the cops on them while they were sleeping.

Illinois: When asked about the state’s 14.3 percent decline in Caucasians, white people replied: “But what about Chicago?”

California: Cali’s white population declined by 8.3 percent. I blame Joe Rogan.

The African-American populations by percentage for Arkansas and Tennessee: • Arkansas – 14.9 percent • Tennessee – 15.7 percent (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Redistricting Data) Maryland: Maryland lost 7.7 percent of its white population, ending any hope for another season of “The Wire.”

New Jersey: The Census Bureau did not state whether New Jersey’s 15.2 percent decline had anything to do with Chris Christie not letting white people across the bridge.

West Virginia: Wait...is that why Joe Manchin trying to preserve the filibuster?

Alaska: Sarah Palin stopped having kids and Alaska’s whites declined by 7.4 percent.

Thankfully, they can see Russia from their window.

New Mexico: New Mexico’s white population decreased by 7.3 percent. However, according to the researchers in the Walter White School of Chemistry, they still have the best meth.

Oklahoma: After losing 6.3 percent of their residents, they are preparing another race massacre.

New York: According to every episode of “Friends” and “Seinfeld,” New York had more than enough white people to lose 6.2 percent.

Where’d the Black people go?

Here are the states that experienced a decline in their Black population since 2010: District of Columbia: Don’t worry. Most of the 6.3 percent of Black people who left D.C. moved to Silver Springs.

Alaska: One Black person left Alaska and their population declined by 5.5 percent. A polar bear probably ate him.

Illinois: A 3.3 percent decline. Damn you Black-on-Black violence!

California: I heard the last Black man in San Francisco couldn’t afford rent, which is why the population declined by 2.1 percent.

Michigan: Michigan lost 1.8 percent of its Black residents because they were tired of listening to Eminem songs.

Mississippi: The 1.3 percent of Black people who left Mississippi did the right thing.

New York: The .9 percent decline in New York’s population can be solely attributed to Jadakiss killing Dipset.

South Carolina: The .9 percent decline can be solely attributed to Michael Harriot leaving.

Other facts you should know • America’s Hispanic population is 18 percent.

• Non-Hispanic whites are the minority in California, New Mexico, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada and Texas.

Information • Inspiration • Elevation Published by Best Media Properties, Inc.

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The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 5

RELIGION

Celebrating the life, legacy of the Rev. Dr. Lester Basken

by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

On the third Sunday in January 1971, the Rev. Lester Basken preached his first sermon. The next week he was called to pastor Middle Baptist Church in Whitehaven.

Forty-four years later, he retired from Middle Baptist having grown the church’s membership manyfold.

During that time of service, he extended his ministerial tutelage to position 50-plus others to accept the call to preach the gospel.

The Rev. Dr. Lester Basken died on Aug. 8. He was 90.

Dr. Basken’s spiritual leadership focused on the whole person. Programs designed to feed, clothe, mentor and give guidance to families, children, young adults and seniors extended the reach of his ministry to many outside of Middle Baptist Church in the Whitehaven community.

“We as a whole family thank you all for all the texts, calls, messages, thoughts and prayers,” his grandson, Darius Basken, posted on the church’s Facebook page. “We love you all.”

A wake for Dr. Basken was held last Friday (Aug. 13) frat Middle Baptist Church, 801 Whitehaven Lane. The homegoing celebration, which was made available online, was held at the church the next morning.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland remembered Dr. Basken on Facebook as “always welcoming and gracious.”

He praised him for serving “the youth of Memphis with his joyful, uplifting personality.”

Born June 8, 1931 in Senatobia,

The family of the Rev. Dr. Lester Basken, includes his niece, TSD President Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover (third from the right). (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley) Rev. Lester Basken Mississippi, he was the youngest of Price and Elvira Basken’s seven children. In the early 1940s, the family moved from Nesbit to Memphis, where he subsequently graduated from Geeter High School.

Drafted into the Army, he was wounded at age 19 during the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star for his service. Upon his return, he married Irene Jackson, whom he had met at Geeter. They set course on a marital journey that lasted 68 years, yielding four children. One son, Chrislyn Basken (Elizabeth), and two daughters, Leslie M. Basken and Marilyn B. LeaVelle, preceded him in death.

The Baskens’ surviving daughter is Sheron D. Hamilton (Gerald).

A lover of baseball, he played with a local team called the Weaver Clowns, taking the field against legendary greats Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.

His work history included Liberty Cash Foods, National Food Stores, the Memphis Housing Authority and

Deborah Manning Thomas shared this vocal salute to the Rev. Dr. Lester Basken. the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a published obituary, he had worked nine years with MHA when he locked onto a promise he made while injured in Korea: “Lord, if you let me live, I will do anything you want me to do.”

Before beginning his ministerial career, he was already active at his home church, Mount Pisgah, Weaver

The celebration of the Rev. Dr. Lester Basken’s life and legacy was held at Middle Baptist Church, where he pastored for 44 years.

Rd., where he served as choir director, Sunday School teacher and the superintendent of Sunday School. He also directed the Whitehaven District Choir and was a member of the J.W. Hardaway Singers.

He exemplified his value for education by earning a Bachelor of Theology degree from Mid-South Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Theology from Tennessee School of

Religion and an Honorary Doctorate from LeMoyne-Owen College.

He retired in 2015.

Dr. Basken also leaves seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, five sisters-in-law, and a host of nephews and nieces, including TSU President Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover.

Snow Funeral Home, 1650 E. Shelby Dr., had charge.

Ready to serve …

All about the youth …

Youth Sunday was celebrated Aug. 15 at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME, where the Presiding Elder Perris J. Lester I (back row, center) is the pastor. On hand was Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr. (right), Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The Rev. Julian Earl (center) was installed as pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church in North Memphis during a service held at Antioch Baptist Church, where the Rev. Carl Shields is pastor. Dr. H. Arnold Middlebrook from Nashville assisted with the installation. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 6

ENTERTAINMENT

“Welcome 2 America” is one of Prince’s more collaborative albums, constructed in discrete stages with different cohorts of musicians.

Prince’s genius, foresight revealed again in ‘Welcome 2 America’

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

It is rare when a posthumous CD receives the rave reviews as Prince’s “Welcome 2 America.”

It is even rarer when the previously unreleased music was hidden in plain sight for more than a decade.

Yes, Prince played many of the same songs during his 2010 tour of the same name.

But the Purple One never released “Welcome 2 America” music – perhaps with the remarkable foresight he had always possessed, Prince had his eyes on 2021, Black Lives Matter, and the pandemic.

“I swear that he’s speaking from the grave,” Elisa Fiorillo, a member of Prince’s New Power Generation, told the New York Post.

“Now I listen to it, and I get it more than I did when I sang it, which is crazy.

It’s like he read into the future,” exclaimed Fiorillo, who sang background vocals for

“Eleven years after the album was recorded – as the 2020s have brought bitter divisiveness, blatant racism, battles over history and a digital hellscape of hyped consumption and algorithmically boosted lies – Prince doesn’t sound pessimistic, just matter-of-fact.” – John Pareles

the album.

Prince died in 2016 of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was 57.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oscar and multi-Grammy and American Music Award-winner, reportedly has a treasure trove of unreleased hits inside his vault at Paisley Park, his famous home that’s now a huge tourist attraction outside of Minneapolis.

But it’s “Welcome 2 America” that has music aficionados, journalists, and fans fawning over the superstar all over again.

“Prince Made ‘Welcome 2 America’ in 2010. It Speaks to 2021,” The New York Times raved in its headline this week.

“Funkier, Sexier, Superflyier Than Most of His Latter-Day Music,” Rolling Stone

headline writers asserted.

“A Prismatic Prince Shines Again on Welcome 2 America,” NPR added. “‘Welcome 2 America’ was made two years into the Obama administration, and Prince didn’t see much progress. In the title track, women sing, ‘Hope and change’; then Prince dryly observes, ‘Everything takes forever/The truth is a new minority,’” mused the famed music critic John Pareles.

Pareles notes that the songs take on racism, exploitation, disinformation, celebrity, faith, and capitalism.

“21st century, it’s still about greed and fame,” Prince sings in “Running Game (Son of a Slave Master).”

“Eleven years after the album was re-

corded – as the 2020s have brought bitter divisiveness, blatant racism, battles over history and a digital hellscape of hyped consumption and algorithmically boosted lies – Prince doesn’t sound pessimistic, just matter-of-fact,” Pareles relayed.

“Welcome 2 America” wasn’t made casually, he concluded.

“It’s one of Prince’s more collaborative albums, constructed in discrete stages with different cohorts of musicians.”

“With the album coming out now, it’s almost like what everyone needs to hear,” Tal Wilkenfeld, who played bass during the March and April 2010 recording sessions, told the Post.

“He was very focused on the socio-political climate… He really cared to have a voice in what was happening in the world at large and make change.”

(Follow Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire’s senior national correspondent. Follow him @StacyBrownMedia.)

COMMUNITY The New Tri-State Defender, August 19 - 25, 2021, Page 7

City Council puts consolidation measure on three-week hold

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Memphis City Council members kept their powder dry Tuesday (Aug. 17) on creating a charter commission that would examine creating a metro government through the consolidation of Memphis and Shelby County governments.

Instead, members of the council’s Personnel & Governmental Affairs committee meeting delayed taking action on the proposal for three weeks so council members can study the issue.

“I’m sure we have all these different groups working on this issue over the past couple of months. Who knows, maybe a year?

“It wasn’t shared with the general public. We need to have an opportunity for the general public to get involved and find out exactly what the charter commission actually does,” said councilmember Cheyenne Johnson.

Advocates of the proposal maintain it will streamline economic development in the city and the county.

Their goal is to include a consolidation referendum on the 2022 general election ballot.

The referendum would have to be approved independently by city and county voters. An unsuccessful similar proposal in 2009 provided the framework for the current bid.

“When I started researching the

law, I found the one in 2009 has some provisions I didn’t think were consistent or could be challenged,” said Allan Wade, the council’s attorney.

Wade said the process would be initiated by the City Council and the Shelby County Commission, who adopt resolutions creating a charter commission, like the latest proposal before the council committee.

It would feature 20 members.

Eight will be appointed by the mayor of Memphis, who will then be confirmed by the council. The county mayor will get 12 picks. The appointees would have to meet the approval of the County Commission.

To meet the deadline for the 2022 election, the charter needs to be filed

by Aug. 1, 2022.

“All of these things have to be lined up to make sure they are done in sequence,” cautioned Wade.

The pitch was met with apprehension by many on the council. In addition to the unknowns that the charter commission could foster, there are fears that newly won political gains, especially by African Americans. could be lost, tipping the balance of power away from the city’s interests. “It is my opinion that we have a more Memphis-friendly Shelby County Commission than we have ever had. What can they not accomplish that a combined government could not accomplish?

“I have seen the damage that

a non-Memphis friendly County Commission has done, and it’s been that way up until 2014 or 2018. Now that we have one (commission) that is Memphis-friendly, why do we damage that?” asked councilmember Martavius Jones.

He also argued that a metro government will allow communities in the county to have a say in how Memphis is run.

“If I can’t go out to Germantown and tell them how to run Germantown and Arlington and Collierville, why should we have a body where people who live in the county already have a voice on the county commission? How does that benefit Memphis?”

Proponents argued that the current makeup of the county would ensure those wins would be preserved. To act as a guardrail, the statute also calls for the charter commission “to include various representatives from various political, social and economic groups...”

“They’ll have experts, they’ll have attorneys involved that are constitutional attorneys, economic advisors, grassroots, neighbors, community charrettes, engaging the people with what they want. I can tell you what they don’t want is the status quo,” said councilmember Chase Carlisle.

Still, the idea continued to receive pushback. Some councilmembers wanted more information made available to the public before deci-

sions are made. One even proposed a committee be formed to perform the task.

“In a city where we have such high poverty, blight, crime, COVID-19, which is an anomaly, and our infrastructure issues, this is just another way of getting us off track.

“We need to stay on track, get what we can done as a body, allow another group to come together as a committee. That committee will make a recommendation to this body because this is more permanent. You are allowing someone else to make decisions before us and we don’t have all of the information on the front end,” said councilmember Patrice Robinson.

Councilmember Edmund Ford Sr. made his feelings known when Carlisle attempted to call on Ted Townshend, chief economic officer at Greater Memphis Chamber.

“We are not going to bother him right now. Please sit back down,” interrupted Ford. “I’m going to get pissed off in a minute because, first of all, this should have been stopped a long time ago,” Ford said.

He continued, “Don’t bring somebody out here, if you got something to say, I want you to talk. Please hurry up so I can talk. We need to hold this for three weeks. Do not bring something and think everybody’s going to do something today and nobody did no research on it.”

The first Tri-State Defender debuted on Thursday, Novenber 1, 1951.

The New TriState Defender to celebrate its road to 70 and beyond Hybrid event to spotlight the ongoing journey TSD Newsroom

Pictured (l-r): Leshell Berry and Regina Berry of Carver Heights; Mrs. Morgan, Claude Wilson (principal), and Dr. Vietta O’Bryant of Hawkins Mill; and Dr. Vanessa Rogers Long and Rosalyn McGhee, board members of Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Partnership powers 2021 Back to School Supply Drive

TSD Newsroom Giving back to the community is made easier with the help of partners and Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated can attest to that.

Determined to host its 2021 Back to School Supply Drive, the group joined in partnership with Grace Missionary Baptist Church and Carver Heights

Missionary Baptist Church to provide school supplies for students at Manassas High School and Hawkins Mill Elementary School.

Distribution Day was last Friday (August 13). The school supplies were given to the schools to provide for the students who do not have adequate supplies or are not able to purchase supplies during the school year.

Dr. Inetta F. Rogers president

of Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated stated, “We are thankful to our partners (Carver Heights and Grace Baptist) and to FedEx who provided cinch bags, pencils and some backpacks for the youth,” said Dr. Inetta F. Rogers president of Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated.

“These supplies will help

students to have their own set of classroom supplies and not depend on communal supplies of basics. This also prevents the spread of the virus and enhances study and participation in learning.”

Rooted in the community since 1968, Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship is a 501(c)3 organization that “seeks to build spiritual and moral fiber.”

The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) will celebrate turning 70 years old at an event on November 4, 2021.

Best Media Properties, Inc., the ownership group of TSD, is in the early stages of planning the event, which will salute the African-American newspaper’s past and detail aspects of its future.

“In this environment when a number of newspapers are dying, we are celebrating the continuity and strength of TSD in this community and the Black Press in general,” said Calvin Anderson, president, Best Media Properties.

“This event will showcase TSD’s body of work over the years and how we continue to be a valued voice in the region.”

TSD Executive Editor and Associate Publisher Karanja A. Ajanaku noted that the newspaper debuted during the first week of November 1951.

“The TSD’s road to 70 began before the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) and the 1954 Supreme Court ruling outlawing segregation in public schools, winding its way through the often deadly responses African Americans encountered as they stepped through racial resistance in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness,” said Ajanaku.

“The journey continues, with the TSD evolving to help the African-American community meet ongoing challenges and new hurdles while creating and taking advantage of opportunities. The road to 70 and beyond is worthy of a celebration.”

Sponsorship information is available for businesses and individuals interested in being a part of this special occasion. Updates will follow as plans are finalized.

(For more information, contact The New Tri-State Defender at 901523-1818; Email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com. Visit www.TSDMemphis.com.)

The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 8

NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS This is NOTICE to all government and nongovernmental entities: The trade-name/fiction-name/ trademark-name ROBERT DELANDERS JONES has been registered with the State of Tennessee registration file #141-6244535 July 23, 1962 and in the American Republic/International with CitySide records Registration/file # 6558471021368 July 23, 2021. The name ROBERT DELANDERS JONES is copyrighted claimed and held under trust. Infringement fees apply for all violators. For a copy of the full Registration Notice or if you have any adverse claim you may contact Trustee Robert-Delanders: Jones of the ROBERT DELANDERS JONES TRUST at (586) 2449079 or write to the branch office at: ROBERT DELANDERS JONES POB 34704 {Branch Office} MEMPHIS, TN. 38134.

Third Party Testimonial

Sportsmanship …

The Tri-State Yankees played their final game of the season at Jesse Turner Park last Saturday and a premium was put on good sportsmanship. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

The Division of Education at LeMoyne-Owen College is preparing for its re-affirmation for the purpose of Continuous Improvement through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Tennessee Department of Education. This virtual visit will take place on August 15-17, 2021. As a division, we strive to ensure that the performance-based system focuses on evidence which validates our teacher candidates are knowledgeable of the subject matter and demonstrate effective teaching strategies so that student will experience academic success in the classroom. Additionally, we work to ensure our teacher candidates demonstrate a connection of theory to practice in order to be effective educators and to make a positive impact on student development and learning in the P-12 community.

Through the support of our community stakeholders, adjunct professors, and advisory teams, the education unit at LeMoyne-Owen College is involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensuring that faculty and programs reflect new content and pedagogical knowledge, best practice, technological knowledge and skills and is involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.

As members of the Memphis community, we encourage you to provide letters of support in regard to the operations, effectiveness, and overall quality of the Division of Education at LeMoyne-Owen College. You may submit your letters

TSD CLASSIFIEDS 1509 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 PH (901) 523-1818 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. §67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: Schmetrice L. Craig Tax Parcel #: 09002700000440 Tax Sale #: 1602 Price Offered: $500.00 Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) working days of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 9:00 a.m. on September 20, 2021, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

Shelby County Land Bank 584 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)222-2400

SALES PERSON

Nigerian human rights activist Hafsat Abiola signs an autograph during the 2019 Freedom Award Student Forum at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley/TSD Archives)

Keeper of the Dream Award back on track

TSD Newsroom The National Civil Rights Museum and Memphis-based International Paper are accepting applications for this year’s Keeper of the Dream Award, which annually salutes Greater Memphis-area in grades 6-12 that have demonstrated a commitment to making lives better for others.

Students can apply on the National Civil Rights Museum’s website by September 10.

Now in its 18th year, the Keeper of the Dream Award is inspired by the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, which honors men and women globally who are recognized for their work in the struggle for civil and human rights.

The Keeper of the Dream Award recognizes young people who have demonstrated extraordinary courage, compassion, leadership and service and are forging paths to expand opportunities for

others.

“The Keeper of the Dream Award celebrates students who are role models for all of us,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, International Paper senior manager, global corporate social responsibility and community engagement, and executive director of the IP Foundation.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this year’s up and coming youth leaders who are making a difference in their communities.”

The Keeper of the Dream award returns after its hiatus last year due to the pandemic.

“We know there are numerous young people throughout the Mid-South who have worked to empower and improve their communities,” said Dr. Noelle Trent, museum director of Interpretation, Collections and Education and Student Forum managing producer.

Award recipients will be recognized at the virtual Freedom Award Student Forum on

October 14, 2021.

Two winners in grades 6-8 and two winners in grades 9-12 will each receive $500, a trophy and a one-year family membership for up to five people to the National Civil Rights Museum. Relatives of International Paper and National Civil Rights Museum employees are not eligible.

The Student Forum is the opening event for the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award celebration, which honors individuals worldwide for their work in the advancement of civil and human rights. The program allows students and educators the opportunity to hear from civil rights trailblazers, who share how they were able to accomplish extraordinary things because of their commitment to equality, justice and freedom.

Located at the historic Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the museum opened in 1991. Millions of visitors from around the world have come,

The New Tri-State Defender is looking for a few sales consultants to sell print ads, digital ads and event sponsorships for the organization. The candidate should have some sales experience. This is a commission based opportunity.

For serious inquiries email your resume to administration@ tsdmemphis.com.

including more than 90,000 students annually.

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SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, August 19 - 25, 2021, Page 9

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Top-notch competition looms as large schools prepare to battle

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association football jamboree – held last week – ushered in a degree of normalcy, with all schools playing on a 24-minute running clock as they prepared for their first game in two years.

None of the area’s public schools were Terry allowed to play Davis any organized sports last year.

This as some chartered schools were allowed to play. And, some did choose to play; others found out too late to put a team together.

During the pandemic-forced off-season, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) shifted where some schools would play, basing the changes on total enrollment. Here are the updated classifications for the next two years: Class 4A – Craigmont, Fayette Ware, Kirby, Melrose, Ridgeway and Wooddale.

Class 5A – Brighton, Dyer, Kingsbury, Central, Munford, Overton and Southwind.

Class 6A – Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Houston, White Station and Whitehaven.

Melrose moves up to Class 4A this season, with coach Cedrick Wilson on track to field a young team that features seniors at skill positions. (Photos: Terry Davis)

At powerhouse Whitehaven, coach Rodney Saulsberry said, “We work hard and we prepare. We tell our guys, ‘It is all about the work you put in.’ ”

The reclassification may make the Class 6A Region 8 one of the toughest in the state. Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville and Houston all played last season and may have a slight edge over the schools that did not take the field. Germantown and Whitehaven are always ready for the task at hand.

Eugene Robinson, who was named head coach at Germantown in 2020, is set to coach his first game this season.

He added two really tough games – against Christian Brothers and Memphis University School – to the team’s out-of-conference schedule.

“I am just happy to compete,” Robinson of the long wait to start his coaching at Germantown. “It has been a long time coming. … We had to get creative this year without being able to coach. We spent plenty of

velopment,” Saulsberry said. “We are extremely proud of these guys. They have showed dedication through the pandemic. We had a core group of guys that worked out the whole time. …

“We do what we do. … We may have had a year off, but things don’t change. We work hard and we prepare. We tell our guys, it is all about the work you put in.”

Linemen Taylor Williams, Eddie Chalmers and Branson Conner will be the backbone of the offense. On the defensive side, Taylor Burton and some younger guys are expected to be ready. The defensive backfield is very good with Cam Robinson, A J Robinson and Jaquez Bradley. At the linebacker position Memphis will meet Javante Mackey.

At Melrose, coach Cedrick Wilson

time coaching them in life.”

Robinson is convinced that his Red Devils are “in one of the toughest regions in the state. As a player that is what you want. The spotlight is on you. We are excited about it.”

The Red Devils’ on-the-field success is being tied to leadership skills from Malik Young, a 6-feet 1-inch senior quarterback, who played as a freshman at Harding Academy. On the defensive side of the football, many eyes will be Mar’Reion Claybrooks.

At Whitehaven, head coach Rodney Saulsberry’s dynasty-level program is set for this year’s run. The team’s last game was a loss at Houston (27-6) with a chance to advance in the state playoffs on the line.

The missed year “slowed some de-

and his Golden Wildcats are moving up to Class 4A and hopes to have his team ready for the higher classification.

“We have a very young group,” said Wilson. “We have seniors at the skill positions. The interior line is very young, but they are getting better every day.”

To Wilson, “It is all about discipline and these young men doing what they are supposed to do. It is a tough world out here today. The biggest challenges are just to keep them focused. You have to reiterate it every day and do the right thing.”

Going into the season, players that Melrose looks to count on include running backs Jermaine Dodson and Deqwan Belvill, with Christopher Grandberry and Kwame Taylor on the defensive side.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Small schools ready to roll past adversity

by Terry Davis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Smaller schools playing football in the Shelby County Schools system start with a major disadvantage by sheer numbers. Throw in a pandemic-lost year and the path to gridiron glory becomes even more of a journey against the odds.

Coaches at small schools have a smaller pool of players to draw from.

Most schools that play in Class 1A, 2A and 3A normally have no more than 30 players and most must play both offense and defense.

With last season canceled, some players who wanted to play football transferred to a school that was playing football; others graduated.

MASE, for example, had seven seniors last season. This season they return only three players that have ever played organized football.

It will be like starting from the beginning and training the new players on the culture that had been established.

And, then there is reclassification.

Reordering by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) set up this: Class 1A – BTW, Bluff City, MASE, Middle College and Westwood.

Class 2A – Fairley, Freedom Prep, Hillcrest, KIPP, Manassas, MLK, Prep, MAHS, Mitchell and Oakhaven.

Class 3A – Fredrick Douglass, Hamilton, MBA, East, Raleigh Egypt, Sheffield and Trezevant.

At MASE, head coach Julius Jackson Jr. knows that his mission this season will be difficult, but not impossible. He does not judge a suc-

The Phoenix of MASE will have the challenging task of fielding a number of players that have never played organized football, said head coach Julius Jackson Jr. (Photos: Terry Davis)

This season, BTW will play in Class 1A, with Mitchell taking the field in Class 2A. cessful season in wins and losses, but by building the characters of young men.

Reflecting on the missed year, Jackson faces having to play a lot of guys that have never really played varsity football.

“You had a lot of guys moving around. There was a lot of uncertainty because of COVID. Hopefully, we can play as much as we can play and let the chips fall as they may.”

Cedric Miller Sr., the head coach for MAHS, has one of the better play-

Kipp and Hillcrest will meet as Class 2A rivals. ers in the city coming from the smaller schools. His son, Cedric Miller Jr., has already committed to play for the University of Tennessee next season.

The missed year “helped us with adversity,” Miller said. “That will be a big asset for us this season dealing with adversity. I think we are going to be really good this season, especially on the defensive side of the football.”

Miller Jr. is a versatile player. Look for him to be used all over the field, including running back, defensive back and wide receiver.

“We are going to move him around this year, because we don’t want the opponents to try to get a key look on him. He is a big part of this, but we have some other guys that are going to help us out,” Coach Miller said.

MAHS will look to transfer Jalen Dale, a 5-feet 11-inch senior, Jalen Shelton, the transfer from Indianapolis, and Kumaro Brown, who will operate as a running back and cornerback for the Lions.

“We are going to have two of the

biggest corners in the city besides Freedom Prep,” said Miller.

McKale Jones, the head coach at Freedom Prep Academy, has led the program from the start and has a history of putting together great teams.

“We have to protect the brand,” Jones said. “We have to keep building and keep motivating the kids. I am a diehard football fanatic. I love my kids.”

Jones will look to Tyler Woodard – defensive back/wide receiver – and Desi Hemphill – running back/linebacker –to lead this year’s team.

For Jones, keeping a successful program involves employing the RDL model: • R is for the respect he earns from his team because he gives it first to the players.

• D stands for discipline. If you have their respect, you are able to instill respect into what they are doing.

• L is for love as “tough love. I am going love them like they are one of mines,” he said.

The New Tri-State Defender

August 19 - 25, 2021

Page 10