Former and current members of the U.S. Congress discussednational politics in a symposium held March 21 at The University ofMemphis Fogelman Executive Center. Panelists included Mike Espy,former representative from the Mississippi 7th Congressionaldistrict; Harold Ford Sr., former representative of the Tennessee9th Congressional district; U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones ofOhio's 11th district; and U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton of theDistrict of Columbia.
U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. served as moderator. Benjamin Hooksopened the symposium with questions addressing the currentchallenges facing African-American political leaders and thedevelopment of a new national civil rights agenda.
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute sponsored the symposium forsocial change. The Institute's area of emphasis includes lectures,symposia and initiatives for civil rights and public education.Panel members proposed various solutions to the struggles that theyface including increasing the involvement of youth in the politicalprocess.
The central focus of the symposium was to discuss solutions tothe challenges that face black political leaders. Issues discussedincluded increasing economic wealth among African-Americans, voterdisinterest and administrations that are unsupportive of the issuesthat are significant for the areas leaders represent. A mainconcern of panelists was the perceived widespread apathy ofyouth.
"This is a fundamental problem that we have to get our handsaround," Espy said. "Our youth just don't see it, but that does notmean that we can become apathetic. They think that current issuesdon't affect them. We have to make them know that their rights arethreatened too."
Espy further explained his strategy of reaching the youth of hiscommunity while still holding office.
"When I was in office, I traveled the communities in a pick-uptruck and had a blues band, jazz band or whatever music fit thedemographics," he said. "I had a hot dog behind me. I studied thedemographics of those communities, and I knew what types of peoplewere in those communities."
Ford Jr. said he thinks few young people are interested inpolitics.
"Many young people think of politics as a reserved vocation oroccupation for older people," he said.
"Politics is not as real for younger people, including mygeneration, as it was for previous generations. We are not asinvolved in elected or macro politics, though we are more involvedin civic and faith based activities."
Ford Sr. provided a different perspective on youth apathy to thepolitical agenda.
"We need to inspire our young people to run for public office inaddition to supporting a candidate. They need to be encouraged toget fully involved in the process," he said.
Holmes-Norton said she believes young people will becomeinvolved if they think an issue directly affects them.
"In response to the affirmative action case that will be heardby the Supreme Court, there will be a mass demonstration April 1 byhigh school and college students in D.C.," she said. "This is anissue that affects these students and so they are inspired tovote."
Panelists agreed that black political power is challenged bygeneral voter apathy.
"We need to leverage more of the power that resulted from theVoting Rights Act. The power is in the South, but it isunderutilized power," Tubbs-Jones said.
"We need to put the black vote for progressive change with whitevotes and other groups that support change."
Ford Jr. reminded the audience what the essence of votingis.
"Voting is not about Democrats or Republicans but who has thebest answer," he said. "If the Democrats have the best answer, thenget out and support them. If the Republicans have the best answer,then get out and support them."
