As a journalist, Juan Williams made a significant mark on the profession, with an Emmy award to show for it. As a writer, he caught the widespread attention of the entire African-American community with a new book.
The legendary writer and journalist will visit UT on Thursday to talk to students about his work, his opinions on the African-American culture and the roles of students in the context of his worldly experiences.
Hosted by the Black Cultural Programming Committee, Williams will stop by the University Center Auditorium at 7 p.m. on his national book tour.
Brittany Lacy, program co-coordinator of the event, said she predicts Williams will talk to African-American and conservative audiences.
“Looking at the nature of the content of his books, I would guess he will probably address the conservative and black community and perhaps talk about change — where change should occur and how it should begin,” she said.
Earlier this year, Black Cultural Programming Committee was criticized for hosting the more-liberal Harry Belafonte. However, with Williams, Committee Chair Curtis Sanderfer, a senior in political science, hopes they can provide students with another viewpoint.
“Here at the BCPC, we try to bring people from both sides of the issue,” Sanderfer said. “He’s going to share his different perspective on black culture from working in the media. We’re trying to enhance the awareness of African-American culture.”
Demetrius Richmond, graduate assistant of Minority Student Affairs, also feels Williams will motivate students to think about the issues he will be addressing.
“We try to present diverse perspectives,” Richmond said. “There is something to learn from every perspective. He’s going to encourage students to critically think, not just think about one thing, but about everything.”
As a conservative-leaning journalist, Williams has written for the Washington Post, appeared on Fox News and PBS and is now on the staff of National Public Radio as host of “Talk of the Nation.” Richmond feels Williams can teach students how to act independently through his own experiences.
“He really pushes the self-accountability piece — pull yourself up from your bootstraps and stop asking for handouts — that kind of thing, particularly with African-Americans,” Richmond said. “So, sometimes he’s not as received from the left.
Lacy agrees.
“He’s a little different than what you typically expect,” Lacy said. “He’s more on the conservative side. This year and last year we’ve had speakers on more on the left-wing side, so we wanted to give a different perspective.”
Lacy also said conservative opinions are often not taken seriously anymore at UT and that Williams may bring back the intellectual spirit of looking at both sides with his views.
Sanderfer said Williams will fit in well with Knoxville’s conservative press.
“I think here in Knoxville, you see a more conservative press, so I think he is going to feed into the larger crowd,” he said.
And everyone agreed no matter how well Williams’ views parallel that of the student majority, everyone who attends will take something valuable away from this outstanding spokesman.
“I think students should come out and hear what this man has to say,” Lacy said. “They may not agree with everything he says, but maybe they can walk away with something that they did not know before.”
