By: Dee Brown, CEO of Clarksdale Advocate | Feb 23, 2025
DeeBrownCEO.com
Clarksdale, Mississippi – Growing up in Clarksdale, MS, my childhood was shaped by the reality of poverty. In the face of adversity, I found purpose in football, a sport that allowed me to channel my energy and time productively. The influence of my former football coaches—Coach Bennett, Coach Hughes, Coach Murphree, Coach Jennings, and Coach Kemp—had a profound impact on my life.
These coaches didn’t just teach me the strategies for winning; they instilled in me the values of resilience and sportsmanship. They taught me that losing is not the end but an opportunity to work harder, never give up, and strive for success next time. They emphasized the importance of humility, exemplified by shaking my opponent’s hand and telling them “good game” after a tough loss.
During high school, I remember eagerly awaiting certain editions of the Clarksdale Press Register, hoping to see my name in print for my athletic and academic achievements. Throughout my high school years, I was mentioned in the Clarksdale Press Register 28 times, with each mention symbolizing a significant achievement and a moment of pride.
The decline in community engagement and local sports coverage by the Clarksdale Press Register is disappointing. Upholding a community’s spirit offers far greater value than mere criticism. While diverse opinions and constructive criticism from the media are vital, genuine change in Clarksdale will emerge when citizens embrace their responsibilities and when the media highlights the positive developments within our community more than the negative.
The changes over the years in Clarksdale reflect trends seen across the nation. Nowadays, losing is often met with denial. If we lose, we might claim victory or argue that cheating is to blame. Long gone are the days when we simply regroup and try to win the next time around. In today’s world, it’s commonplace for individuals to witness the same events and yet arrive at entirely different conclusions. Whatever happened to the days when reading comprehension was important? This shift from accountability and sportsmanship, once embodied by figures like Bennett, Murphree, Jennings, Hughes, and Kemp, marks the dawn of a new era.
Elected officials govern, but it’s the duty of every citizen to contribute to the community’s success. Citizens are the entrepreneurs and small business owners who create jobs; this is not the government’s role. Each citizen plays a key role in enhancing Clarksdale. If you limit your contributions to critiquing on social media without taking tangible steps toward change, progress will remain elusive.
Together, we can cultivate a community where our shared values of respect, sportsmanship, and perseverance flourish. Let’s uplift Clarksdale through action, collaboration, and positive engagement, and transition away from the useless complaints and insults cast from behind a keyboard while sitting on the couch or at a desk, not being part of the solution.
Photo Credit: Clarksdale Press Register-May 27, 1989
