Some of Tennessee’s most influential people met last Friday at The University of Memphis’ Clement Hall to discuss and promote a congressional earmark for the Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change.
Benjamin L. Hooks, a lifetime civil rights leader and adjunct professor at The U of M, embodies both the struggles of the past and progressive stance for the future.
The Ben Hooks Institute for Social Change is meant to serve as a continuation of Hooks’ legacy and achievement in the civil rights movement.
The institute currently funds and hosts events, such as a lecture series and symposiums that bring scholars and officials together, and also supports a program that teaches sixth-graders about civil rights.
The meeting, held on campus Friday, served to explain the institute and drum up support from public officials and corporations in the area.
“Grits, grace, and greenbacks keep things moving, and I have no apology asking for money because it goes to a good cause,” Hooks said. “Even if I did, I’d ask anyway, because I’m a Baptist preacher.”
Last year, over $1 billion in government funding went to educational projects across the country, none of which was allocated to West Tennessee schools.
An estimated $6 million went to UT Knoxville, and many speculate that this year might be Memphis’ turn.
“Being in the early school system and being part of integration I was pleased to join on (to support the Ben Hooks Institute),” said Bryant. “The budget is tight and we are under a lot of pressure. We’re in a hard time, but I think if we all work together we can have something we can be proud of.”
Hooks also emphasized the importance in continuing the expansion of the institute.
“The movement for civil rights in America — had we not had it, America could not claim to be the moral leader of this world, “ said Hooks. “If we still had segregation, how could we have the nerve? Even those who resisted the movement at the time would have to admit it was time for a change, and the movement still goes on, and Tennessee will be the better for it.”
Hooks has a distinguished record, including serving as the first black judge of a court of record in the south since the Reconstruction era, first black member of the Federal Communications Commission and executive director of the NAACP for sixteen years.
In 1976, Hooks was given the NAACP’s highest award, the Spingarn medal. He is currently a distinguished adjunct professor of political science and history at The University of Memphis.
Hooks has also donated his memoirs to The University, and archiving the records is one of the tasks the institute has been trying to fund.
A request for a $5 million government endowment to expand this work was submitted by the institute.
Ralph Faudree, U of M provost, said The University fully supports the institute.
“I can certainly tell you that the University of Memphis is behind the Hooks Institute,” Faudree said. “It’s important that we learn from our mistakes in history.”
Private companies are also helping to fund the institute. “Nike is very much on board,” said Doug Imig, associate professor of political science. Imig also suggested the corporation might increase their sponsorship in the future. “Nike has long been about children and citizenship,” said Imig, “and I am sure they will continue that.”
Tri-Core announced its decision to donate a desk set to Hooks’ office, and a complete set of conference room furniture.
As for the likelihood of the funding being approved, Andrew Shulman, Bryant’s assistant, said that was anyone’s guess.
He explained that the proposal would have to be voted on before the congressional recess, but that with all of the things Congress has to focus on, no one can predict what that means for the institute.
