Benjamin Hooks Quotes

United States, Leader
January 31, 1925 – April, 15, 2010.

Benjamin Lawson Hooks (January 31, 1925 – April 15, 2010) was an American civil rights leader. A Baptist minister and practicing attorney, he served as executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1977 to 1992, and throughout his career was a vocal campaigner for civil rights in the United States.

Also known as Minister

Black men who have succeeded have an obligation to serve as role models for young men entrapped by a vicious cycle of poverty, despair, and hopelessness.

Benjamin Hooks
I wish I could tell you every time I was on the highway and couldn’t use a restroom, my bladder is messed up because of that. Stomach is messed up from eating cold sandwiches.

Benjamin Hooks

The most enduring contributions made to civilization have not been made by brawn, they have been made by brain.

Benjamin Hooks
There are a lot of ways an oppressed people can rise. One way to rise is to study, to be smarter than your oppressor. The concept of rising against oppression through physical contact is stupid and self-defeating. It exalts brawn over brain. And the most enduring contributions made to civilization have not been made by brawn, they have been made by brain.

Benjamin Hooks
- Brain
- Study
- Civilization
A good history covers not only what was done, but the thought that went into the action. You can read the history of a country through its actions.

Benjamin Hooks
- History
- Action
- Covers
At that time you were insulted by law clerks, excluded from white bar associations and when I was in court, I was lucky to be called Ben, usually it was just ‘boy.’ But the judges were always fair. The discrimination of those days has changed and, today, the South is ahead of the North in many respects in civil rights progress.

Benjamin Hooks
If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk.

Benjamin Hooks
- Walk
- Leading
We're no longer arguing about riding in the back of the bus, but being the bus driver or the president of the bus company. We're not pushing for the right to buy the hot dog, but selling the hot dog and the right to own the hot dog franchise.

Benjamin Hooks
- Dog
- Company
- Pushing

We’ve been through some little stormy periods before. I think we’ll overcome it.

Benjamin Hooks
- Overcome
- Stormy