Hooks emphasizes education in history to acheive goals
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News
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Instead of focusing on past wrongs, black students should learn about the Civil Rights Movement and American history as a way of avoiding future oppression, Hooks said.
"Yes, there were slaves, and yes, there were segregated water fountains, but you as a young black person should not become bitter about it," he said. "But rather, use the experience to overcome and remember that there were white people who gave their lives for the freedom of black people."
Hooks' speech comes shortly after the Tennessee Board of Regents' decision to stop requiring American history for all undergraduate students at The University. The U of M was the last college in the state to require the course.
Jan Sherman, chair of the history department, said she hopes students will still choose to take American history classes.
"Civil rights is so central to The University and the Mid-South area, and I can't help but think students who don't know their history will be confused," she said.
The civil rights activist is the first in a three-speakers series titled "Civil Rights and Social Justice: Past, Present and Future" sponsored by The University. After their presentations in Washington, D.C. - Hook delivered yesterday's speech last month - the speakers will return to campus and rehash their talks for students.
While Hooks and other civil rights leaders fought for civil rights with court cases, sit-ins and boycotts, he said today's racial problems will be solved by education.
University President Shirley Raines, who said she was inspired by his speech, accompanied Hooks on stage.
"He's an icon," she said. "We are so fortunate to have Rev. Hooks at The U of M and in the community because of all he has accomplished."
Although Barack Obama was recently elected the nation's first black president, Aaron Boatwright, sophomore earth sciences major at The U of M, said there was still a need for civil rights activism and leaders like Hooks.
"There will always be some inequalities because our society is so big and diverse, but that's no reason to stop fighting," he said.
Other students, like Brittany Gamble, sophomore nursing major, said they think racial lines have largely evaporated since the Civil Rights Movement.