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New TSD video series tells forgotten history of Memphis

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Over the course of February (and maybe beyond), we’ll bring you short video clips of historic places you drive or walk by every day – places that have profound historic implications that go overlooked all the time. We published the first one, “The People’s Grocery,” on Feb. 5

Published

8 years ago

February 16, 2019

Oakland Post

By Lee Eric Smith, lesmith@tsdmemphis.com

As we here at The New Tri-State Defender pause to reflect on African-American History Month, my own journey has brought me to make these bold recommendations to the Shelby County School Board and interim Superintendent Joris Ray:

There should be a class called “The History of Memphis.”

This class should be mandatory.

This class should have ZERO textbooks and should be taught on foot, out in the city.

This came into stark relief for me as I began working on our new TSD video series “History: Hidden in Plain Sight.” Over the course of February (and maybe beyond), we’ll bring you short video clips of historic places you drive or walk by every day – places that have profound historic implications that go overlooked all the time. We published the first one, “The People’s Grocery,” on Feb. 5.

For me, this journey literally started in the TSD offices. Like many newspapers, we have replicas of early editions of our paper on display around the office. No surprise, there are some with stories about Dr. Martin Luther King; I saw one story about black G.I.s returning from Vietnam. It was what happened on March 30, 1968 that caught my attention.

Most of history recognizes that day for the march that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. attempted down Main Street, in support of the 1968 sanitation strike. When protesters got rowdy, King was quickly spirited away, to avoid controversy. But that’s not the story I saw on the wall at the TSD.

Just a few blocks away from King’s attempted march, at the intersection of Wellington and Linden, was a bar/diner called “The Big M.” Located at what’s now known as Martin Luther King Avenue and Danny Thomas Boulevard, The Big M was where many of Memphis’ white-collar working class came to wind down.

But on this day – the same day of King’s failed march – it was a nightmare.

Unannounced and apparently unprovoked, Memphis police stormed The Big M with nightsticks in hand – kicking butt and not worrying with names. The TSD offices were so close that a badly beaten man collapsed on the steps of the newspaper.

The Big M is long gone now, replaced by the grassy lawn of Pentecostal COGIC, which overlooks another historic landmark, the Universal Life Insurance Building. Things change.

But that brings me back to my bold recommendations: “The History of Memphis” should be mandatory for all SCS students. And when students enter that class, they should be exiting a tour bus.

Too often, history is simply a subject in school, just another thing to memorize so students can (hopefully) pass a test. And we spend so much time and energy teaching kids about ancient events in faraway places, yet so little teaching about what happened down the street or across town.

Which is why the class needs to be taught on foot. On the printed page – or on historical markers, for that matter, the stories are just words. But when you actually GO and SEE these historical places for yourself, the history just comes alive. You learn about the lesser-known people and events that led to the major events. You begin to see yourself in the story. And you start to understand WHY things are the way they are.

That’s what we’re trying to do with this series.

Do you know what the curriculum was at The University of West Tennessee? Did you even know there WAS a University of West Tennessee?

Or imagine a dispute among children playing a game escalating into a lynch mob that killed one of your closest friends and two others – essentially for being successful businessmen. How far would you go for justice for your friend? And what if your pursuit of justice put your own life at risk?

If those scenarios don’t seem familiar to you, stay tuned – those are the topics of the first two clips in our series. No spoilers here – you’ll have to watch. Visit www.tri-statedefender.com or check out www.youtube.com/tristatedefender for those stories and the others we’ll be telling in the coming weeks.

Working on this project has introduced me to a fascinating paradox. Other than historical markers, there’s nothing left to acknowledge the existence of People’s Grocery or The University of West Tennessee or so many other historic sites around town.

These historic markers were erected to ensure that these places and events are not forgotten. And yet they go largely ignored, blending into the background of our daily commute, along with the “We Buy Houses” signs and billboards from lawyers with catchy jingles. It’s right there; we’re just not paying attention.

If we do this right, you won’t see these markers the same way again – and maybe you’ll get curious enough to do some research of your own. You might even find yourself slowing down just a tad, to observe the history you’ve been zipping past all along.
History – hidden in plain sight.

(Lee Eric Smith is an NNPA award-winning columnist, journalist and author. Follow him on Twitter: @L3ESmith or on Facebook: @iamleeericsmith )

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Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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4 weeks ago

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Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

4 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

4 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.