Benjamin L. Hooks has worked hard throughout his life to advocate non-violent methods for change. His life’s work will be recognized Friday when The University of Memphis presents him with this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Award.
“Dr. Hooks has displayed many diverse roles and is a distinguished adjunct professor in the departments of political science and history,” said Mark Stansbury, assistant to The University’s president and former Human Rights Award recipient.
The award recognizes someone who exemplifies King’s non-violent leadership in pursuit of social justice and human rights, principles Stansbury attributes to Hooks.
In addition to his work with The University, Hooks was the first black judge in Tennessee and the first black member of the Federal Communications Commission.
Hooks worked for 16 years as the executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and is an ordained minister for Greater Middle Baptist Church on Knight-Arnold Road.
To further advance the study of the Civil Rights Movement, Hooks donated papers dealing with this struggle to The University of Memphis where they are part of the Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change.
“Dr. hooks has consistently worked for social justice and human rights,” Stansbury said.
The presentation ceremony will began at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a symposium on “Environmental Racism.”
Environmental racism refers to the intentional placement of hazardous waste sites, landfills and polluting industries in communities inhabited by minorities and low-income-level citizens, according to an essay by Irwin Weintraub.
Weintraub said these citizens are perceived as weak and passive and will not fight back against the pollution.
The keynote speaker for the symposium will be Robert D. Bullard, a Ware professor of sociology and director of the Environmental Justice Resources Center at Clark Atlanta University. Bullard is the author of a textbook used at The U of M, “Racism and the Environment.”
A panel discussion will follow with topics including the defense depot and the Velsicol Chemical Corp.
