Daily Helmsman The
Memphis defense on point Tigers defeat Musketeers Saturday to better chances for NCAA play.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Vol. 79 No. 68
Independent Student Newspaper of The University of Memphis
see page 8
www.dailyhelmsman.com
Documentary, lecture to highlight Hooks legacy Rodney Slater, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Bill Clinton, will speak about the life and legacy of civil rights activist Benjamin Hooks at the Michael D. Rose Theatre on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. “I think that (Hooks’) legacy challenges us to continue to be about the business of ensuring that all have an opportunity to participate in the American dream,” Slater said. The University of Memphis’ Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change is sponsoring Thursday’s event. “We want students to come to this event to learn how to serve their local community and nation while still meeting their career goals,” said Daphne McFerren, director of the institute. Hooks fought for the United States in World War II, but as an African-American, was denied equal rights upon returning to the U.S. In response, he became an activist for civil rights in Memphis during the tumultuous 1960’s. In 1972, President Richard Nixon appointed Hooks to serve as a commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission. Hooks was the chief executive officer of the National Association for the
by Casey Hilder
BY JACK SIMON News Reporter
Benjamin Hooks delivers his final lecture on Nov. 4, 2009 at the Michael D. Rose theatre. A recently produced documentary “Duty of the Hour,” will examine the life and times of the civil rights activist. Advancement of Colored People from 1977 to 1992. A screening of the trailer for the documentary of Hooks’ life, “Duty of the Hour,” which will be released this spring, will be
Film series kicks off Black History Month BY SARA HARRISON News Reporter A film series organized by the Graduate Association for African American History will begins Thursday in honor of Black History Month. Weekly films depicting the theme “Black Soldiers in Film” will be shown in the Mitchell Hall auditorium throughout February. This week’s film, “Home of the Brave,” will kick off the series Thursday at 6 p.m. Based around the theme of “African Americans in World War II,” a 1949 film that examines the horrors of war from a black veteran’s perspective. Each film will showcase black masculinity throughout American history, followed by an informal discussion that aims to analyze the progression of African American culture. “Showing these films is a way to spur interest in African American history,” said Michael Blum, former president of the
association. “It’s always easier to get people to come to a movie than a talk. Our mission is to study African American history in a way that attracts a younger audience.” Each film provides its own importance relating to the chosen theme. Past themes have included “The Evolution of Black Women in Film” as well as “Black Comedies.” For the past seven years, films have been shown to provide a starting point for discussion, Blum said. The informal atmosphere serves as the perfect introduction to larger discussions regarding African Americans in history, he said. “It is important for these things to be discussed especially during Black History Month,” Blum said. Pizza and refreshments will be served at the weekly showings, which are free and open to the public.
shown at the event. “(‘Duty of the Hour’ is) a reflection on the life of someone who had a tremendous impact not only on Memphis and the Mid-south, but the entire coun-
try,” Slater said. “I knew Dr. Hooks and know how important his legacy remains through the ongoing quest for America to becoming a more perfect union.” The Hooks Institute is locat-
ed in the College of Arts and Sciences. A reception will take place Thursday from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Michael D. Rose Theatre lobby. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Star Jones to give heart health lecture on campus BY CHRISTINA HOLLOWAY News Reporter Star Jones, a former cohost of “The View”, will visit The University of Memphis on Sunday to speak on heart disease awareness. Jones, a survivor of heart disease, is also one of 16 contestants in the fourth installment of “The Celebrity Apprentice.” She was a NBC News Legal Correspondent, who reported on issues such as the O.J. Simpson case. Jazmine Phillips, the president of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., said AKA members wore red clothing Feb. 3 as a “conversation starter” to spread awareness about the
No. 1 killer of women. “We do have the power to tell people on a daily basis,” Phillips said. Phillips, also a heart disease survivor, said she never imagined having heart problems. She had surgery in summer 2010. “When you have a celebrity come in, it brings attention to it a little more,” she said. Alexia Young, a senior education major and member of the chapter, said Jones is the best candidate for the event. It is beneficial because the American Heart Association doesn’t get as much publicity as other organizations such as the Breast Cancer Association, she said. “She has a big impact on the world. We see her on
The View. We saw her in the O.J. Simpson case. We see her on TV,” Young said. Whitley Miller, member of the AKA and chair of the event, said a lot of people are uninformed of the risks of heart disease. “What better person to bring than our own sorority sister and someone who knows what heart disease is really about,” she said. A question and answer session will follow Jones’ talk. After Jones, a representative of the American Heart Association will speak. The red dress, the official symbol for heart disease, is the preferred attire at the free, public event. Attendees are also encouraged to bring canned food for the fundraising food drive.