The Greatest Love

What Whitney Houston Meant to a Teen in South L.A.

One day, about 25 years ago, I was listening to the radio station KGFJ when I heard a crystal-clear, powerful voice. The music that followed, about finding the greatest love of all, was the most touching song I’d ever heard. It started like this:

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride …

I was a teenager growing up in the projects of Watts, and every word of the song …