On Jan. 4, 1961, Theotis Robinson became one of the first African-American students to attend UT.
Nearly 53 years after his first day, Robinson will return to share his story about fighting for diversity on a daily basis.
Robinson’s lecture will kick start the “Trailblazer Lecture Series,” the first of its kind at UT, which will showcase groundbreaking African-Americans who have history with the university.
Sponsored by the Vice Chancellor for Diversity Rickey Hall and the University of Tennessee Commission for Blacks, this series plans to specifically highlight the experiences and successes of the minority group.
“It’s important to represent the contributions of any underrepresented or marginalized group, because the reality of the matter is that they often don’t get talked about, or their contributions aren’t highlighted in the same way that others are,” Hall said.
Rickey said he was confronted with the question of how to spotlight these kinds of accomplishments, and ultimately came to the conclusion that inviting people like Robinson to come and share their experiences of overcoming prejudices with the university was the best solution.
“We wanted to start from the beginning,” he said. “Being the first, and integrating UT from a race standpoint, is certainly trailblazing.”
Princess Johnson, a freshman in accounting who plans to attend the lecture, said she hopes people will understand the current implications of Robinson’s decision to attend UT.
“It’s the groundbreaking of diversity on campus,” Johnson said. “He’s the one who paved the way for other African-Americans to come here too.”
Hall said he hopes students take away an appreciation for Robinson’s bravery, as well as future Trailblazer lecturers Rita Geier, Mark Dean and Valisia LeKae.
He said he believes students will be inspired to stand up for themselves and their own civil rights in the face of discrimination.
“They were very young, and a few of them were taking some very serious risks,” Hall said of the African-American lecturers who will visit UT. “To think about that, and what that must have felt like for them, and yet they did it, and I think that’s real courage.”
Hall stressed tenacity in the face of fear and adversity is still necessary to promote a multicultural, diverse environment at UT, as well as anywhere else.
“That’s the only way that we will ever be able to advance diversity and inclusion,” Hall said. “You’re talking about change, you’re talking about doing things differently. You have to challenge things that are unjust.”
Johnson agreed, emphasizing the amount of personal strength it takes for an individual to continue challenging discriminatory practices and mindsets.
“You have to believe in yourself,” she said. “You have to know yourself that you are capable and you can do this, despite what other people are saying.”
Robinson’s lecture will take place Wednesday in Hodges Auditorium at 11:30 a.m.
