A free campus event on Thursday will give attendees, including the general public, a chance to talk one-on-one with professors about a slew of topics related to social issues.
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change will host its annual “Open House and Panel Discussion” at 6 p.m. in the University Center Bluff Room (room 304). A reception for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Elena Delavega, associate director of the Hooks Institute, said attendees should expect personal interaction with professors who bring their knowledge of today’s topics to the discussion.
“We are working for social change and bringing together ideas for integration, civil rights and social structure to our open house,” Delavega said.
A discussion panel will lead a conversation about defending diversity, social justice and human rights in America’s society today. Idia B. Thurston, assistant professor in psychology at the University of Memphis, will discuss legal, social and policy advancements made by the LGBT community. Nabil Bayakly, adjunct instructor of Arabic at the U of M, will provide an in-depth overview of Islam.
Peter Kindle, an associate professor in social work at the University of South Dakota will examine intergenerational poverty and reliance on welfare by the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Michael Duke, associate professor of anthropology at the U of M, will discuss the challenges and opportunities of immigrants in Springdale, Arkansas.
“Although the topics discussed in the event are broad, each person in attendance can take some from this event and apply it to their daily lives,” Duke said. “Being the fact that we live in Memphis, we should be aware of the cities civil rights and how they relate to today’s time — good or bad.”
Delavega said the current generation needs to “understand the world and promote true change to everybody.”
“College students are the hope for the future,” Delavega said. “What you do, how you are educated and how you understand the things around you is going to make a difference in the world.”
The open house will give all who attend a chance to hear some of national, local and global news without leaving the university.
“Topics such as these affect me directly being the fact that I am a college student and I should be very aware of the world around me,” Dai Yates, junior dental hygiene major, said.
