The Rev. William Lawson joins UH as Distinguished Community Scholar in Residence. Photo by Mark Lacy

Although the Rev. William Lawson retired as pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, he continues to teach messages of hope, compassion and justice in the lecture rooms of the University of Houston. In September, Lawson joined the UH faculty as Distinguished Community Scholar in Residence. He recently spoke to UH Today about his new position at the university.

Q What are your responsibilities?
A I am coordinating periodic lectures in the Graduate College of Social Work. The lectures focus on the theme of the overpopulation of minority men in the criminal justice system. I have asked the Graduate College of Social Work to assess the problem and recommend some approaches to address it. For the first lecture, we brought in Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal and two judges, including Belinda Hill.

Q Why did you select that subject?
A I am convinced that the overpopulation of minorities in the criminal justice system is not because blacks and Hispanics are more criminal. I think that there is an overbalance in the stereotyping of blacks and Hispanics. For example, I think that if police were to stop a group of black teenagers because they think they are a group of thugs, then they are stereotyping. The same is true with Hispanics.

Q What are some of changes you have witnessed in Houston, especially in the Third Ward?
A If you saw or read about the funeral of Coretta Scott King, you would have heard or read about a number of changes that have occurred across the nation since the Civil Rights Movement. The same thing is true of Houston.

I think that the racial segregation that my wife and I found when we came here has been badly bruised, if not eliminated. Two of the most dramatic changes that have occurred were the election of a woman mayor (Kathy Whitmire) and an African-American mayor (Lee Brown).

Additionally, Houston has become a major metropolitan area, a major commerce area and a major banking center.

Q You mentioned Coretta Scott King and the Civil Rights Movement. What are some of the challenges that the city and nation still face in regards to civil rights and other social issues?
A We have not erased poverty. We have not eliminated the poor education of children, especially in inner cities. We have not provided health care to all of our citizens. We have not accurately portrayed blacks and Hispanics. There’s a great deal of things to be done now just as they were during the days of Martin Luther King Jr. I don’t know the final answer, but I know that we must continue to stand up and fight to resolve these problems.

Q What is the role of universities in solving these issues?
A Universities should challenge the intellects of students and make them realize the purpose of education is not simply so they can earn a higher income. The purpose of education is so that they can improve the character of their communities and raise the quality of life. I think it is just as important to develop values and principles as it is to develop English and math skills.

Q When you speak to young people about civil rights and other social issues, what has been their response?
A It is unfortunate, but there has been a lull in passion to confront such issues. Many people feel that they have all that they need. ‘I have a nice house in a suburban neighborhood. I have a good job in corporate America, and I drive a Mercedes Benz. Well, there really isn’t much that I need.’ I think one of the problems is they that haven’t heard the teachings of Jesus who said that we’re not complete until we’re concerned about our fellow man. It is unfortunate, but right now in 2006, there’s not the passion for righteousness and justice that there was during the Civil Rights Movement.

Editor’s note: Lawson is the founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. In 1996, Lawson and his wife, Audrey, established the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity, an advocacy agency for the poor, minorities, women and other excluded people. He has received numerous awards and tributes, including honorary doctorates from UH and Texas Southern University and the 2006 Rotary Club of Houston Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu