Common Text with Isabel Wilkerson

I was excited to go hear Isabel Wilkerson talk about her book "The Warmth Of Other Suns". I wanted to know where she drew her inspiration from and what motivated her to even want to write the book. The first thing she said that really shocked me is that it took her 15 years to finish the book. Thats probably more than half her life but this just shows me how dedicated she was to writing a well thought-out book. Her parents were migrants which was apart of her motivation for writing this book. She also talked about the laws in the south that motivated African-Americans to migrate to the north. She went on to say if they came into interaction with a white person they had to behave a certain for example, if a black person was driving behind a white person they could'nt honk the horn or swerve in front of them to get in front because this sort of behavior could result in harsh consequences such as lynching. Hearing this just melted my heart because we have it so good today that we never really think about this kind of stuff. She then went on to talk about the people she interviewed for the book, who are the main characters, George, Ida Mae, and Robert. She said she took the initiative to travel the same path of migration that some of these characters did, just to get the full effect of what they had to go through. Isabel Wilkerson is really an inspiration of mines. She has showed me anything is possible, it just takes some time.

Miss Evers Boys

Miss Evers Boys was a really good play. It had a good story line but the overall story could've been a lot "juicer". I really liked the relationships between each of the characters, it was really clear, especially the relationship between the boys and Miss Evers. I was able to tell by the physical movements that their relationships grew over time. They began to interact with each other a lot more. What I really like about Miss Evers' boys is that there is a lot of physical movements especially with Stanley's character, and his movements also told a story over the width of the play. As he got sicker his movements slowed down and he started struggling to dance. When I left the theatre, I wasn't as moved as I think i should've been. I don't really know the reason for that, maybe it had to do with the play or directing or acting. I can't really point it out. Usually when I leave the theatre it has an impact on me but not this time. The best part of the play were the boys. The way they interacted and trusted one another was really nice to see. It was like a brotherhood and relationship is really important in the theatre. I felt like the directing was "ok", there were many ways the director could've made the scenes more interesting by placing the characters in different places, or different points of view. Besides my critique, overall I enjoyed the play.

Self-Reflection

Freshman Seminar has taught me a lot of new things that I had no knowledge of before, especially coming from a very diverse high school. When freshman seminar began I thought the class would be very pro-black and a lot about African studies, and I wasn't wrong, lol. Learning new things about African culture was very interesting, although I didn't think I would need to remember a lot of these things for future reference, especially because of my major. It was overall a good experience but I wish that freshman seminar offered more than just lectures about African cultures and terms. It would've been nice if the class offered us a guide to Howard University and spoke to us about how things work around campus, being that we are incoming freshman and don't really know much about that. I've never took a lecture class before, and though I learned some beneficial things, it would've helped to learn things that I needed at that point in time. I enjoyed blogging about the lectures because with each different blog that I did, I discovered more and more about the lesson that I didn't realize before hand. The Lectures' shared some beneficial knowledge with us, I enjoyed learning about the different people who worked with Howard and about the changes they were making and continuing to make.

Research Group Project Evaluation

Working on the group project was definitely an interesting experience. I usually rather work by myself, but I also enjoy working in groups because it gives me a chance to hear different prospectives from the different group members which benefits the overall project. Surprisingly being in a group of all women, we got along very well, there were no arguments, disagreements, or attitudes. Everyone had very welcoming attitudes and we took everyones opinions into consideration although like any group, we did have our issues. Our research question was "how have previous Howard professors advance the world of psychology?". I liked our research question because it gave me a chance to dig deeper into Howard Alumni and see the changes they've made within the University. I found out new things about the university that I've never knew before and it was an awesome learning experience. A key learning experience from all of this was interviewing a Howard Professor. This helped me to meet different and new professors and understand their reason for teaching at Howard, and why they love it so much. When presenting the group presentation I felt that I was a teacher myself because I was educating my fellow classmates and bringing forth new information that they don't know about. I mean, what good is learning new information if you can't share it ?

The Purpose of an Education

It is because of people like Ms. Worthy that so many young people today have been inspired to go beyond just making it through school, but actually strive to succeed throughout the rest of their lives. It is so refreshing to see the type of enthusiasm and dedication she holds towards giving children a better future through their education. She expressed how important it was for young African American children to realize their potential and how they need a deeper sense of knowing someone cares about their success.

Community responsibility was a topic that needs to be addressed more over the country. This concept is crucial in raising children to understand they can do anything and that they have the support of everyone. There is a saying I always hear, “it takes a village to raise a child” and I truly believe this is accurate. Everyone needs to work together to bring our people out of the bad stereotypes and let us know that we are just as god as any other race. We all need to support each other I order to survive at the fullest.

“Ubuntu: ZULU PROVERB A person is a person through other persons. We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others.” I love this concept also because it plays into the fact that we need to respect and treat others as though they were family. It is important to show respect to all people, no matter the case, because you never know what effect you may have in someone’s life.

Howard Homecoming...what an experience!

The amount of activities, performances, food stands, and entertainment in general was amazing. Homecoming here at Howard is definitely something you couldn’t even come close to at another institution. The football games, to begin with, keep your blood pressure up at all times with the many interceptions and touchdowns. The vendors lined up outside the gate added to the excitement and true football game feeling we had been lacking during previous games.

            Yardfest was an experience in itself. I couldn’t believe that many people could fit on the yard at one time. The performances were pretty good but I felt that we could have had better artists. The step show wasn’t as good as it had been in past years but it was still entertaining also. I loved watching the different fraternities and sororities get up and show their dedication and love with their line brothers and sisters. The performance by Travis Porter was also nice although it was hard to see from where I was sitting.

Overall, homecoming was an amazing experience and I truly believe no one can compare to a Howard Homecoming although many may try. I wouldn’t trade this school for anything and I love that we can be known as prestigious but yet know how to throw a good party.  

Freshman Seminar Group Projects

Our group focused on advances in the field of psychology and what scholars have done to further advance this field. Our power point focused on Mamie and Kenneth Clark who were Howard graduates who worked in child racial psychology. They studied the effect society had on black children and their thoughts of which race was prettier, better, uglier, etc.. They opened a counseling center over 65 years ago in Harlem, NY  in order to help the youth of the neighborhood overcome challenges and have a safe haven. This center is still in existence today along with many of the changes they made to help support Brown vs. Board of Education. The effort these two people alone made in the field of psychology is amazing and I really enjoyed learning about them during this project.

First Semester Lookback...

I felt that my first semester here at Howard University was without a doubt a learning experience. As I look back on things I have accomplished I am proud but I also wish I had known certain things before starting this semester. This semester was a bit of a struggle as I tried to adapt to the new work load and free time. It is difficult to transition from high school where your parents are there to help keep you on track, to college where your success is solely dependent on what you make out of your time here. I know that next semester I will be better prepared to tackle the work load and obstacles Howard will throw at me. It has been a great semester in all though.

Groups As A Whole

My group members and I focused on the filed of psychology for our group/oral presentation. one group in our cohort focused on biology and what it takes to find the cure for cancer. This group was particularly informative about experiments done previously and current work being done. Another group focused on the importance of one's voice. They focused on protests dating back to the 80's. Some were even at Howard. This included the several protests in front of the Administration building including the lockout done in '89.

Semester Review

Overall the first semester has been a good growing experience. As a student I have made adjustments to my study habits and have learned that study groups help me best. In particular, freshman seminar was a good addition to my classes. It was nice to have a class that was culturally relevant and informative on the condition of blacks in modern America. I found the lecture on the New York City burial ground lecture to be the most interesting lecture. I find it disturbing that cemeteries with blacks are still being destroyed and built upon. In general the course served its purpose, however I found it to be a lot of work for one credit. I would have preferred that half of the blogs were due but I still would have kept the freshman seminar project. In the future I think that the directions and prompt for the freshman seminar project should be made more clear for students. In all, freshman seminar did an adequate job at giving students a chance to reflect on African American culture.

One Semester Down, Seven To Go:Self Reflection

Over the past four months I have sat through countless lectures in several of my classes and have learned a great deal about my self as a student. For the most part, my classes have gone well and adequately taught me what was necessary. However, I find myself very disappointed with the Freshman Seminar course. This course seems to have been originally intended to help students become familiar with college and life at Howard University. Instead, this course should have been labeled Intro to African Studies. All we learned about was several African concepts and what it means to be black in America. I know that I attend an HBCU but that should help, not hinder, my learning experience. The blogs and group presentation are not a lot of work but they are a lot of work for a one credit course that will not be factored into our GPA if we pass. I did enjoy some of the lectures such as Dr.Carr's and the lecture about the African Burial Grounds in NYC. Overall, Freshman Seminar taught me about my culture and legacy as an African American student but it did not teach me what, I feel, it should have.

Culturally Relevant Teaching

Ms. Kimberly Worthy did her lecture and spoke about her mission with the students in the LEAP program. I never really knew about a middle school that focused so much on African culture, and seeing that Ms. Worthy focuses a lot on that was really interesting to hear about. The fact that she's teaching these students things as African Logic, and bringing them countries in Africa is amazing. Usually a teacher will teach their class the traditional way of teaching. Sticking to the the traditional techniques and lessons but culturally relevant teaching allows the students to be open to new experiences and develop new perspectives, which motivates them to succeed. Ms. Worthy also talks about freedom social-emotionally and academically. This brings up a good point because exposing students to a different way of learning, this allows them academic freedom. They don't only have to stick to the usual way of learning they have the freedom to expand their mind. The emotional program that her students have is something I wish I had when I was in middle school. Children don't usually get the chance to talk about how their feeling. They take their feelings out on other kids or just keep it to themselves, but the emotional program gives them a chance to talk about what's bothering them so it can't be deal with in a more appropriate manner.

For Colored Girls

For Colored Girls was the best movie of 2010. I had always wanted to see the play or at least read it so I was excited when I saw the posters in front of Ira Aldridge. On the opening night of the play, I had class at 6pm so I knew that I would not be able to make it. When I went back on Thursday, the tickets were sold out until Tuesday! My friends and I bought the Tuesday evening's tickets and made our way to the fine arts building around 7pm Tuesday in order to be allowed in at 7:05. The theatre was very small so it allowed for an intimate viewing. I loved the way the seats were arranged because you felt as if you were almost in it. When the actresses were singing, it seemed liked they were looking right at you. My favorite part of the play was the opening number because the dancing along with the soloist were so intense. My favorite characters were the Lady in Yellow and the Lady in Blue. I liked the Lady in Yellow because she was so tiny but when she opened up her mouth to do a solo, she had this bug. amazing voice. I liked the Lady in Blue because she did the poem about abortion and the way her legs quivered, she made me believe that she was actually up on a table getting life sucked out of her. All in all, I did enjoy the play. Howard students have a tremendous amount of talent and I am glad that they are able to display that talent.

My Take on Homecoming

In a nutshell, homecoming was interesting and at times hectic. There were numerous activities to partake in but classes restricted my participation. Yet I still managed to see Young Jeezy and Wale perform, which was a treat. The energy of the crowd and the atmosphere of the night made it an enjoyable experience. It was unbelievable to see the number of Howard alumni and DC locals attending the homecoming events on Friday. It was early into the night and people were still pouring in from out of town. I heard that the R&B show was a fantastic event and I wish I had a bought a ticket for this event.

I still made the night fun by being with friends and just taking in the feel of homecoming. I had heard that homecoming at HU was legendary. I found that fun was attainable without running from party to party.The essence of a good time came from being around people you enjoy the company of. In fact, me and some people on my floor found plenty of excitement in playing Call of Duty on the xbox for most of the night. Overall homecoming weekend was fun and memorable.

Homecoming 2015

Before coming to Howard, the biggest event that I heard about was homecoming. People would say that the overall experience was unlike any other school. I could not wait to experience the #1 homecoming event. When homecoming week started it just felt like a regular week. There were no decorations or posters that got you in the mood for homecoming and celebrating. As the events approached the excitement grew. I attended the R&B show and the Poetry Cipher. Both of these events were overpriced but definitely worth it.When the poets recited their poems the feelings were felt throughout the theater. As  a freshman the poetry cipher got me in the mood for homecoming and from then on I couldn't wait for the rest of the festivites. My only problem with homecoming was the prices of tickets. No amount of anticipation could make me pay $50 for a step show ticket without a student discount. There was only a certain number of student discount tickets for each event which made no sense. Between travel expenses , ticket prices and shopping for clothes to where to these events, homecoming proved itself to be extremely expensive. Overall I enjoyed my first homecoming experience and I really felt the pride that howard students had during these passt two weeks.

Homecoming 2011: Howard U Edition.

I expected Homecoming to be a week of non-stop FUN. For the most part, this week was fun but, not entirely. I went to the Gospel Show,Poetry Cipher, and Fashion Show II. The Gospel Show was lovely. I did not know who some of the artist were but despite this, I did enjoy myself. Our own gospel choir went above and beyond. Their voices were so powerful and when they were lining up, I knew that I was in for a treat. The best part of the Poetry Cipher is when Queen God Is came out. A few days prior when I heard that she would be performing, I did a little research about her so that I would not be clueless as to who she was when she came on stage. Her poems blew me away. The poem that she did about herself and music was the best poem of the night. What I also really liked about the cipher was the fact that most of the artists were Howard students. Our student body holds a lot of talent. The Fashion Show could have been better. I went just to go with my friends because I am not really into fashion. I did like the atmosphere; it was exciting. All in all, I did enjoy my first homecoming experience. My bestfriend was with me for a few days and that alone made me happy.

Homecoming

Coming into Howard, I didn't know what to expect out of homecoming. I know I was expecting something great because I've only heard good things about it, so therefore I was expecting nothing but the best. The first event I went to was the comedy show, it takes a lot to make me laugh but I have to admit, I laughed pretty hard. The next event was the celebrity basketball game. I was a little disappointed about the celebrities they chose, I felt they could've chose better celebrities to play, but I still had a good time so I didn't really mind it. The next event was the R&B show which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED. Im a huge r&b fan, and the artist that performed were some of my favorites. I'll definitely be going to that next year. Last but definitely not least was the step show. I watched so many of the previous step shows on youtube before I even got to Howard and I loved everything about it, so actually being there for the first time, I was ecstatic. Overall i enjoyed my homecoming experience very much and I can't wait to do it again.

My Critique on Howard, Life, and Freshman Seminar

The past few weeks at Howard have taught me many things. Often you can hear people voice their frustrations with Howard and compare it with well known white schools. Though I do agree that Howard University is overpriced in comparison with other schools, the overall experience is what you make of it. I have met many interesting people from all walks of life and found that I share more in common with them than the people at my high school. I have also lost many "friends" due to my decision to study rather than hang out all night. I have discovered that there will always be a party and that most parties are the same. In addition I have found that DC tries to nickel and dime you to death. From the clubs and house parties that change prices depending on their mood, the metro system which charges you to get ON and OFF the platform, and the HU bookstore that overcharges on everything. Now on to Freshman Seminar...


Freshman Seminar was enlightening, time consuming, but overall enjoyable. It made me think of my role within the global community and of my responsibility to my race. It allowed me to think of the history that Howard holds and its part in molding some of America's brightest leaders. It also made me proud to say that I come from a long line of people, who despite the misconceptions, laid the foundation for many subjects of academia. Do I think freshman seminar should be mandatory? Yes. Do I believe that blogs should be done EVERY Sunday by 6 pm? No, not really. I would have been happier with blogs due every other week or just a sum total of blogs required but to each his own.


My classes in general have been good. It has not been hard but a matter of balancing out my schedule. With 20 credits as a freshman and a biology major, its hard to write in fun, sleep, and studying into my schedule. In addition I have found that the golden rule of attending ALL of your classes is important to earning the right grade. I personally cannot wait to see what the next semester holds, hopefully not organic chemistry (I heard its torture), and hope to grow into the man I envision myself to become.

Where I Should Be

Out of all the blogs I have done for freshman seminar, this one has me most excited. there has always been something that I had to write about but this is about MY feelings. I DID NOT like freshman seminar when classes first started. I thought we were going to learn about how to succeed at Howard and how to survive. I felt that we were being taught to hate all white people for years of oppression. I thought this class was a waste of time and I wondered what other schools were learning in their freshman seminars. Over time I began to realize that Howard's history is Africa. Howard is an Mbongi. Howard has taken people of all walks of life and put us in a situation where we have no choice but to grow and learn about each other. I didn't know where i would fit in or if I would even make friends as well as I did when I was home. I was wrong. Wrong about freshman seminar and wrong.Freshman seminar allowed me to open up my mind to Howard. it allowed me to open up my mind to life and the true definition of  humanity.  Howard has so much too offer its students. All the organizations on campus offer us the opportunity to open ourselves up to different kinds of people. Howard University is more than an HBCU; Howard is the breeding ground of greatness. Although I just started, im eager to see the legacy that  I will leave when I walk the stage in four years. It is alright to be yourself when you know your strength and who you are. I AM HOWARD!

Oh You Go To Hampton? I'm Sorry.

Every other blog has been assigned a topic and questions but because this blog is about whatever I would like it to be about, I will reflect on my first semester at Howard University. We are now halfway through the semester and I have a pretty good understanding of how things work around here so here are a few things that I have learned to be true:

1) A 14-meals-a-week meal plan is ridiculous ! Unless a person is an athlete, they will NOT be utilizing all 14 meals. It seems as if the cafe's hours do not even allow that.

2)Your style of fashion will change. It may be a drastic change or a mild adjustment but, it will change. I remember when I shaved my head, people told me I had become Howard-ized.

3) There will ALWAYS be something to represent. It may be your school or your hometown or your dorm! You can scream for just about anything.

4) There will always be a party or a reason for a party.

5) I've also learned that I am just not a party-type of person. I can have a social life without being at the club every weekend.

6) I realized that I work better under pressure. My worse papers have been written a week in advance and my best ones have been written the night before class. Go figure.

7) I learned that missing even one class can mean a failure and when you are on a scholarship, that is NOT acceptable.

8) I've learned that I may not always like my roommate but I must always respect her and should expect the same in return.

The list of things that I have learned over the past couple of months can go on forever. In the end, I am glad that I have chosen to experience life at the MECCA because I was not all that excited to be coming here a couple months ago. This week is Homecoming week and I can not WAIT to see what it has in store.

Mrs. Evers' Boys

Mrs. Evers Boys’ was a phenomenal play. The actors all did an amazing job of portraying the emotions felt during that period of deceit among African American males. They were able to draw the audience into the play making it feel so real. Sitting there watching and hearing the audience members gasp and make noises with every little situation or line said showed exactly how in tune you were able to get into the play. I personally had never heard the story of Mrs. Evers’ Boys before this play and this was a great introduction. The story is so captivating and it makes you truly consider how those men felt and how unjust things were back then. I cannot believe how deceitful the government was in keeping this experiment going behind everyone’s back.

The biggest slap in the face I believe those men felt was the reality of finding out Mrs. Evers knew about the experiment and was willing to go on like nothing was happening while those men sat there slowly dying. The level of respect and trust they held for her was higher than nearly any other they had anyone else. The fact that she claimed she loved them but yet aided in some of their deaths, refusing to tell them how they could be cured. In my opinion she was one of the worst characters in their lives. Although the doctors and government were the ones who started the experiment; they didn’t have a personal relationship with the patients. They were all in the wrong for what they did and it is appalling that the government could even be behind something that horrible. I am so glad I was able to make it to the play and I applaud the Howard students who carried the show to the end. They did an amazing job.

Miss Evers' Boys by Glenn Gladney

Prior to attending the play, I knew only a few facts surrounding the Tuskegee experiment. However the play shed light on the medical apartheid of the 1930s and 1940s that occurred in America. The play focused around the lives of four patients in an experiment titled "The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male". The participants were unknowingly given shots of syphilis and were not given proper treatment. Instead the researchers observed as the men's bodies began to show signs of deterioration. In order to keep the participants in the study, free food, "medical care", and burial expenses were covered. Miss Evers was used as a tool by the government in order to recruit additional black men. 


Despite the introduction of penicillin, the men in the study were refused treatment. Instead they were awarded certificates by the US government for their participation. In 1972 the story was released to the public and the families of surviving patients. In all a few monetary settlements were given out with an apology by President Clinton later. Overall I believed the play to be informative and well constructed. I truly felt for the men involved in the experiment. As a black male this play makes me suspicious of my next visit to the doctor's office.

Redesigning Education by Glenn Gladney

The lecture given by Ms. Worthy touched upon the current education system and how it affects the black community. The orator shared that improving education comes from the black community accepting the responsibility to teach its children. This is a result of Ms. Worthy witnessing the effects of "Ubuntu" and its guidelines. 


Her main point of discussion was the state of declining test scores of blacks overall. However after witnessing a program established in South Africa, it was clear to her that teaching should be reorganized around African traditional values. This means having an open forum of discussion between students and faculty that is honest. This helps to make everyone accountable for their actions and open to criticism. In addition, it grants each individual the "freedom" to truly express themselves and their views on life.


The presenter also believed that the oppressors of nonwhites should not be be in charge of educating the younger generations. She explained that empowerment comes celebrating African heritage and retaining a sense of ethics. At the institution visited by the lecturer, a set of guidelines called Ubuntu were established that would help students from violent areas to gain a sense of humanity and an appreciation for their culture. This constructive learning style made the students competitive with the local prestigious white schools. 


Also it was stressed that the most important aspect to learning and succeeding in life is ambition. Though many of the students lacked funding and vital resources, many outscored their white counterparts. This speaks to the potential that the oppressed can have when given the opportunity and have a passion to improve their situation. 


I believe in the fundamental truth that a strong desire to improve one's situation mixed with an open mind can open doors that will lead to success in life. Also I was enlightened by the fact that the orator believed that education should not be allowed in the hands our oppressors. I believe "culturally relevant teaching" is vital to empowering our community. Guidelines such as "Ubuntu" gives structure to students and allow people to form a complete identity that is healthy and progressive.

Teaching for us

This weeks lecture presented another way of teaching African American students. I never though about an African centered school before Ms.Worthy came to speak to us this week. I could relate to some things she was saying. one interesting point of the lecture was the amount of schools she has taught at and her accomplishments while teaching. her being teacher of the year at every school she has ever taught at shows how effective her teaching technique is. I also found it interesting that she never considered teaching until she was required to become a teacher's assistant and ended up loving it and changing her path. As a student i understand  where the philosophy behind  African centered teaching. having a more personal and student centered environment really allows the child to open up and learn without being scared about what other students think. The African Axiology which says the #1 Value is relationships can be applied to any kind of situation.  My third key point is the definition of freedom. I think freedom means different things to different to different people. But Ms.Worthy summed it up perfectly: Humanity. To be free to be a human and everything else after is freedom. being free to do what you desire and not have to explain yourself to anybody else is the best feeling you could have,

Miss Evers' Boys

Before i saw this play, i wasn't sure about all the details surrounding the Tuskegee experiment. It was extremely hurt full to learn about the injustice that these men went through. Throughout history we always heard about black men being lynched or falsely convicted of crimes, but this is one story that shows the lack of respect and utter disgust white people had for us. The actors did a great job conveying the story of what went on as well as Nurse Evers' story. One of the most sickening  aspects of this story was how long it went on for. It lasted 40 years until an investigation was initiated. The doctors doing the experiment wanted the men to die so they could do research on them. Nurse Evers' was very reassuring. Her character added hope to the story even when you though the story couldn't get any sadder. This play was a breath of fresh air from what we have been learning in freshman seminar. As sad as the situation was, it was nice to see and learn about something that happen right here in our backyard.

Paying Tribute to Those Before Us

Visiting the African Burial site was very inspirational and meaningful to me. It still shocks me to know that all those bodies could be found on those grounds. Being on site made me realize how important it is to pay respects and understand the depth beyond what we thought was just typical land. I found it refreshing to see that it was more than just African Americans coming to visit the burial grounds. It shows that we can be united as people and see past racial boundaries to give dues to those who deserve them. I was moved as we began the tributes when Dr. Carr gave life to our ancestors and all those who had come before us. This trip was so enlightening and I found the vibe and everything we witnessed and heard to be eye opening. The thought of people trying to dig up those bodies and just build right over that site is horrible and shows such a high level of disrespect.

The video we watched in the visitor’s center was very informative and displayed just how it was to be living back in the days of injustice.  The work the African Americans had to do in a daily basis was crazy and seemed impossible. If anyone these days were ever told they had to exert that much strength and energy everyday they would look at you like you were crazy. The amount of mental and physical strength required to fulfill these obligations was truly enormous. I am so thankful for the life we are able to live today thanks to those who were willing to fight for our rights. We truly have come a long way…but we have so much more to accomplish still.

Tell Me About Myself.

One key point in this week's lecture was culturally relevant teaching. As a psychology major and student, i appreciate this concept or practice. When all a teacher throws out are facts that a student can not relate to, the information gets lost and students become bored easily. Culturally relevant teaching includes means getting a student motivated to learn by teaching them about their past.The way the information is presented makes a difference.Another key point was that Africa is the birthplace of humanity. Many people still try to refure this fact but there is no getting around it. I remember the slide about the slave trade. The way Africans were packed on ships, as if they were less than animals, makes me sick. The way that people were forced to survive on the ships was horrific.We were brought here as if we owed somebodya debt. A third point of the lecture was the reality of Apartheid in South Africa. The thing that stands out most about this is the time period. I wasborn in the early 90's while people were fighting for their freedoms and their lives. This was not a very long time ago.

Ms.Ever's Boys

I had honestly never heard of the play, Ms.Ever's Boys, before I saw the posters around Howard's campus. I did not even understand why there was a nurse's hat on the flyer. I did not want to go to the show but I knew it was required. Not long after Wednesday's performance were students talking about how well the actors did and know I understand why. The Tuskegee experiment ended about forty years ago but the facts remain the same. One thing I enjoyed about the play is that it was not told from a patient's perspective. It was told from Eunice's perspective who had a conflict. I also liked that the playremained factual. Overall I was not dissapointed. I do not like reading plays but I always enjoy watching them because you get a sense that you are a part of the storyline.Its refreshing to have seen this talent at Howard and to know that these were my fellow classmates.

Legacy

In order for me to be the best and brightest of Howard I first have to understand what that means. Many intellectuals came to Howard and now their accomplishments are my legacy. I need to live up to my potential by devoting the better part of my time to my studies without isolating myself from the HU community. I will get involved around campus.

To be a citizen of the worlds means to recognize that I am a part of something much bigger than myself. Everything that I do and every action that I take will affect those around me and so forth. Even as individuals, our decisions cause us to leave footprints in our communities which in turn affect the world.

Heirs to Greatness by Glenn Gladney

At the lecture presented by Dr. Thornton, he stressed the need for the young people to become more actively involved in the issues that plague society. Furthermore, the speaker said that blacks at today's universities should be held responsible to listen and voice their opinion in order to represent the black community. As a Howard University student it is my responsibility to be strive for excellence in my studies. In addition I must become "the best and brightest" by making myself mentally aware and knowledgeable on social issues that concern the global community. This also means to challenge my professors, politicians, and the news media. 

The orator further expanded on his lecture as he mentioned how the global community is need of strong "citizens". By his definition, Dr. Thornton believed that citizens of the world continuously push for the expansion of human rights. This differs for each individual that may view certain rights as more significant than others. For example, the speaker personally felt that universal healthcare was a basic human right that should be guaranteed. 

A representative thinker of Howard that fits this description is Thurgood Marshall. His accomplishments within the judicial system paved the way for blacks seeking success. His push for the passage of the 14th Amendment was vital in securing his beliefs on basic human rights. His hard work and perseverance inspires me to press forward in my pursuit of academics. I feel that academics serve as the tool for me personally securing my beliefs on basic human rights.

"You are the future"

Dr.Thornton's lecture this week was extremely passionate and inspirational. As apart of the class of 2015 , I know that I knew that coming to Howard I was becoming apart of history. Iconic people such as Thurgood Marshall, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston and Donny Hathaway have all gone on to be the best people they could be in their field.  Going to college was the first step in becoming  a success abut it doesn't end here. Graduating and furthering my education even more will define my future and the legacy that I leave behind when I leave Howard. Dr.Thornton's speech made me think about the rights that we have as a citizen and what they really mean. although being born in this country makes you a citizen on paper, the color of our skin and the size of our pockets determines our rights. The ongoing racism and prejudice against African Americans in America has does not reflect the rights that were supposedly given to us as a birth right. Being a citizen in this country SHOULD mean health care for everybody, free education, and more assistance and job help for those less fortunate. What it should mean and what it does mean are two different things. What being a citizen does mean is if your rich you have health care and if your poor you don't. if you cant pay for college out of your pocket. then take out loans and go into debt before you can drink. out of all the Howard alumni, the person that is the biggest inspiration to me is Zora Neale Hurston. Not only is she from my state, but her literature has always been inspirational to me. she writes with such confidence that it comes through the paper. although i am a biology major, she really inspires me to be a better writer. overall Dr.Thornton's lecture had an impact on the way I carry myself here at Howard.

Raising the Bar

Dr. Alvin Thornton gave a very energetic and passionate presentation this week. He clearly felt very strongly about the political discourse occurring; to the point where I felt as though I were in church listening to my Pastor speaking about God. He opened my eyes to the many valid points he made about how we should succeed in school and fulfill our rights to an education to the best of our abilities. In order for me to ensure I become part of the “best and brightest” at Howard I will study an ample amount of time each night, not allow myself to be distracted by obstacles in my degree path, and keep an open relationship with those willing to help and further inspire me. As many have done in the past; I hope to move on from Howard and become very successful in my career path. We have been blessed with the opportunity to attend this school and it would be so sad to let it all go to waste and just throw it away. We need to take advantage off all of every chance we receive.

The rights we are born with, written in our constitution, freedom of speech, religion, etc., are just a few of many things that define us as citizens if the world. Throughout the world people are struggling with their own political, economic, and social issues. I believe that making an effort to help not only those in the U.S. but in the entire world is a primary component of being a world citizen. We must all work together to better the lives of those in which we share a major common theme, human beings. We are all united in that sense and belong to the world, in turn making us citizens closer than we think. In order to help other countries though; we must first get our own nation in order. Once our nation is united and making an effort to work together as citizens we can then help to inform other countries and people on how to achieve goals.

 Howard alumni that have gone on to become very successful such as, Thurgood Marshall, Terrance Howard, Phylicia Rashad, and Toni Morrison are all inspirational. Seeing how far they have made it, beginning as just normal people, shows me that it is positive for anyone to achieve what they dream as long as they work for it. I love going to a school known for producing notable people later in life.

"Be The Best You Can Be"

I enjoyed Dr. Thorton's lecture, even though I felt he yelled at us a little too much, lol he said some very inspirational things and made some valid points. Attending all my classes, and doing all my work are some of things everyone can do to be apart of the "best and brightest" of Howard, but making a name for yourself and being remembered is how you really leave your mark. Being apart of the Fine Arts department, I believe I can be remembered through the work that I bring to the stage, which is one of the best ways to be remembered. Everyone loves entertainment. Doctor Thorton said "be the voice for your people". This is how you can become a citizen of your society, be the voice that no one else has, say things that haven't been heard, and make a change for the better. Dr. Thorton also said "Be the best you can be. Be better than other perceive you to be". This is how you become the bets person you can be, by standing out and making a change. A quote that I really liked that Dr. Thorton said is, "you are only an extension of what you own". This is very true, what you "own" doesn't make you a better person, its what you "do" that does. Overall this lecture has taught me to become a better person of my society, and in my case, my school. It taught me to become a better person and work towards my future.

Convocation

Before attending convocation, i wasn't sure what to expect. i was expecting a speech about why we need to stay in school and why Howard is the best school to attend. What i received from convocstiion was not what i expexted. Dr. Michale Lomax was our speaker for this years convocation. when he said that only 11 % of howard alum gives back i was shocked. Howard may be the top HBCu but when I walk around campus but we still need help. You spent four years of your life at Howard and can't take a minute out to say "thank you" ? Howard is not perfect but there are many people that dreamed of coming to Howard but never made it. we are the lucky few and i feel that we should support our school. Dr. Lomax also spoke about the need to further your education past the college level. i believe convocation served its purpose to reiterate why we are here. we all have a common goal and that is to graduate and better ourselves.

Beneath The Surface

Professor Mack's presentation is one of the most enlightening presentations thus far in seminar. he really allowed us to feel the emotions that were going on when the remains were discovered in 1991. we have learned about slavery over the years but we never really learned about their lives in the different places they were brought to for New York to be so close and  to know that so many remains were found there is chilling. Professor Mack's lecture made me think about the identities of the people buried at the African burial ground. Those could be my ancestors remains that are buried there. Through out the lecture i couldn't help but wonder what must have been going through the minds of the men and woman that were forced to bury family and friends everyday. one of the many things i found interesting from this lecture was the reluctance of taking slaves from the Caribbean due to rebellion. Another interesting point from the lecture was that even through all the pain and suffering that the Africans endured, they never abandoned their customs. in one of the photos that were taken at the burial ground, one of the women buried was wearing a waist chain at the time of her death. the kind of shells she was wearing was native to Africa. Professor Mack's presentation allowed me to understand the importance of the history after slavery. just because it is believed to be over does not mean that's the case.

PERSEVERANCE

This week’s lecture on New York’s African Burial Ground was an extremely insightful one. Professor Mark E. Mac put together an intriguing PowerPoint which displayed the African burial site under investigation and its many findings. Professor Mac gave us some background information on the site, which included; there were at least 10,000 Africans buried here and only 4000 were taken out. The fact that the remains were being dug up upset many African people throughout the area. I feel that Howard University stepped in and insisted that they get a chance to study the remains so that the disturbance of the remains would not be in vain but instead the African people would get something meaningful out of it.

Professor Mac together with the Howard University team set out to answer several research questions such as; What was the origin of these people (which part of Africa did our ancestors come from), what was their quality of life, did they undergo a bicultural transformation and did they maintain their humanity? Some of their findings included Africans with sharpened or filled teeth. Professor Mac explained to us that this was for both cosmetic beauty and also a way for them to distinguish what tribes they were originally from. Many of the remains were found with jewelry that was not made in North America and/or European objects for example a man was found in a British coat and another with coins on his eyes. This implied that there was a trade going on amongst the people. The physical quality of life could also be determined from the remains. 65% of the women were found with muscle tear in the upper arm and legs. This meant that they were hauling things that were too heavy for their bodies to handle. Also the women were found with cranial fractures which resulted from them carrying large and heavy things on their head. Many new born babies and young children were found. The remains of the young children showed that they were under a lot of stress. Many had skull problems, were malnourished and/or had rickets. As for the question, “Did Africans maintain their humanity?” The answer is clear to me that the African people did maintain their humanity. 91% of the remains were buried in coffins wrapped in white cloth and as Professor Mac stated, “We would not be here if our ancestors did not take care of us in life and death.” This Burial ground represents the fact that our ancestors came from all over Africa and through pain and sorrow they banned together and made us, and now it is our job to culturally enrich ourselves and pass what we know on to other to ensure the perseverance of our culture.

“Ancestral Rites of Return”

After a decade of research the 4000 remains were finally going to be reburied. After a set of four remains were through tour 6 cities they were placed in a coffin and then into 1 of the 7 sarcophagus. They were then carried by horse to the burial ground and finally laid to rest. This was extremely touching, for I wonder if my ancestors knew that their people would one day rise and be able to celebrate them for their strength, humanity and perseverance. As a people this burial site brings us back to the beginning and together once again. I know that when I go to visit the monument in October that it will be a very touching experience.

“The Memorial and its Symbols”

The five symbols that I learned about were; 1) Mate Masie which means Wisdom and Prudence and is from the Akan tribe. This symbol symbolizes four ears linked together and represents the importance of cultural perseverance, 2) Akoma Ntoso which means understanding and is also from the Akan tribe. The symbol symbolized four hearts linked together and represented shared affection, 3) Nsibidi which is the symbol for progress or a journey. This symbolized the journey of the African Diaspora, not only to the Americas but to the whole world. 4) Ankh is the Egyptian symbol for eternal life (wisdom and power), although I have seen this symbol before this is the first time I’m learning what it means, and 5) Gye Nyame, which symbolizes the supremacy of God. All of these symbols connected not only with each other but also with the whole meaning of the African Burial Ground. After learning about all these symbols I feel inspired to learn more about them and their origin and to be able to pass my knowledge on to others like my little sister for I think that it is important for her and others to know and understand just how sophisticated our people really were. Also I hope that Howard again gets an opportunity to embark on something so culturally significant and that I will be able to participate or help in one way or another and if the opportunity does not directly present itself through Howard I will just have to go out and find it!

Burial Ground National Monument by Glenn Gladney

Professor Mack's lecture expanded my knowledge on the life of early African slaves within colonial America. His talk touched upon the fact that the captive African slaves still practiced traditions and customs from their homeland. One important aspect still continued was African burial rites. The unearthing of graves within New York's African Burial Ground showed various relics and items buried with the dead. Also Professor Mack pointed out that examination of the teeth and bones of the dead gave clues to their daily lives. The pattern of teeth filing revealed the tribe, age, and origin of the many buried. The professor pointed out that young women were typically assigned to hard labor that damaged their muscle tissue and skeleton. The routine lifting of a hundred pounds took a toll on many and made me appreciate the fact that I do not work in hard labor. Overall his presentation introduced me to a depth of early African slaves that is not usually discussed. One instance is that many Africans did not view themselves as slaves or as "property" but as being held captive in a new land. This shows the resilience and mental state that the early Africans arrived with to the colonies.


My overall impression of the project is positive. I believe the involvement of Howard University was essential in leading the research on the New York African Burial Ground. I believe this institution was chosen because of its vast resources and knowledgeable staff that could properly examine the remains. I do not believe other institutions could have taken the quality time and safety in analyzing our ancestors' remains. Though it is an unfortunate situation surrounding the African Burial Ground, it is encouraging to know that care was taken to preserve the dignity of the dead. The symbolism of unity that the monument stands for inspires to me to continue the University's legacy in pursuing and transforming academic knowledge that will benefit the community.

Convocation Lecture by Glenn Gladney

On September 23, Michael L. Lomax was the guest speaker for Howard University's 144th Opening Convocation. As President of UNCF (United Negro College Fund) he stressed his goal to make college an affordable experience for minorities seeking higher education. Dr. Lomax expressed his concern for the number of bright minorities seeking options outside of HBCUs. He asserted that institutions such as Howard University need to make themselves more attractive and competitive for a better quality of student. In addition he believes Howard University should seek to acquire the best faculty and staff in order to improve its quality of education.

Dr. Lomax also challenged alumni and students to give back to their alma mater. He believes that investment from past generations is essential if HBCUs are to progress forward. According to the orator, only 11 percent of past graduates donate funds to Howard University. I find this to be a surprising statistic. I agree that HBCUs need to be come more attractive to students if they are to compete with other schools. One approach could be to offer greater scholarships. However this relates back to Dr. Lomax's point that alumni do not give back which hinders the amount of funding available. Overall I believed his presentation to be insightful on the current state of HBCUs.

Convocation

I enjoyed convocation very much. Doctor Lomax mad some very interesting and valid facts and points. When he said that HBCU's have the highest graduation percentage of African Americans more than any other college, I found that to be very interesting and I loved hearing that being that I am in an HBCU, it made me very proud. The fact that Alumni don't contribute to their school's as much as they should disappoints me because college is one of the major points of your life, in some cases it makes you who you are today, so for you to graduate and not show your appreciation by not giving back is selfish and unappreciative. "Howard was there for you, now Howard needs you"- Dr. Lomax. Dr. Lomax was very pro-student which i really liked. He said a student should be treated as a "customer", meaning we should be given the best service possible or we will just take our business elsewhere. I don't think there was a better way to say that. I also enjoyed when he spoke about education with minorities specifically blacks and latinos. He said "latinos and blacks are seen as the muscle and not the brain of education", and this is very true. We are looked down a lot when it comes to education, and Caucasians are seen as the brain, the one's with all the "knowledge". I personally think latinos and blacks just need more support, then this high percentage of graduates in American will increase.

Afican Burial Ground: Never Forgetting Those Before Us

Dr. Mack’s presentation on the African Burial Ground was something I had never seen or heard of before. Although I am from NY I never knew this existed. It’s sad that this isn’t better known to everyone but I’m glad I had a chance to learn about it and will get to see it live.  I feel that it is important for us to learn about our history and take pride in knowing all that we can.  I still don’t know how I feel about this burial ground being dug up in the first place because it seems disrespectful. They wouldn’t go into any cemetery and just start digging out the bodies so why would you do it to this site?

Professor Mack’s presentation was pretty good but I felt that he could have given us more than just pictures to look at. He didn’t have much depth to the presentation although it was nice that he took things slower than other speakers have before. Overall the lecture was interesting and taught me many new things. I feel that Howard was chosen to participate because of our reputation and the level of scholars we have working here. People know that we would be respectful and very interested in learning more about the burial site and would want to contribute all that we can to help. The skills professors and others on campus possess are incredible and are the exact reasons we are among the top HBCUs.

Nsibidi- love and unity and ancient idiographic writing system

Gye Nyame- this is the most widely recognized and powerful symbol used by the Ugon? people. It means “except God.”

Tanit- represents the early African Muslims who have been here since the early 1600s and the faith they brought to our world.

Hye Won Hye- imperishability and endurance. It means “burn? You will not burn.”

Legba- guardian of the crossroads. It is one of the gods of the system.

Digging up the past

Before Professor Mack even began this lecture, I was a little disappointed in myself because I am from New York, Brooklyn to be exact, and I knew nothing about this African Burial ground so I was excited that we were going to be taking a trip there. When he talked about people protesting about the digging of the burial ground, I understood their frustration because these people are digging up the past, a sacred ground, but I also understood why they were digging it up. When you go into the past, it provides a lot of unknown information for the present that we never even known so I appreciated this project more than rebelling against it. If i were to visit this exhibit in october, which I will, I'm sure I will learn a lot about our ancestors and the way they were treated just by exhibiting their remains. Looking at someone's skeletel structure tells us a lot about that person and time period than a lot may realize. When we looked at the women's skeleton, we saw that their skull was cracked and this indicated that they carried a lot of heavy things on their head. Their teeth are filed which also gives us more valid information. The fact that these people were buried with their babies and others as well, shows that they were probably buried with their families or just random people. This lecture gave me a lot of information I didn't have before and I can't wait to go to New York and find out even more.

Convocation....Celebrating 144 Years of Success

Dr. Michael Lomax’s speech during Convocation showed how passionate he was about his position as President of the United Negro College Fund. He made very relevant and eye opening points through his use of statistics and facts about African Americans schooling. My favorite point was when he said “Students should be treated as customers because they matter and they can easily take their business elsewhere.” This is so correct and he used this to explain how some schools are losing focus on what is truly important and why they exist in the first place. They must remember that students hold a larger amount of power than they think so they should strive to make things suitable for us and keep things equal and professional at all times. There is nothing worse than going off to college where you should experience “the best four years of your life” and end up being treated unfairly due to ethnicity, religion, gender, etc., and wanting nothing more than to leave that institution.

Dr. Lomax mentioned many statistics about African Americans and our low rates of males at graduations but yet the high rates of unemployment. Only 30-35% of the graduating classes at many HBCUs are comprised of males. He expressed how crucial it is for people to start making an effort to help black males get in and stay in school. Too many schools are focused on what they have done in the past and how many people they started with but don’t worry about how many they lose. Dr. Lomax said “it’s not about what you use to do; it’s about what you are doing now and for the future.” There is nothing further from the truth; you cannot stay stuck in the past and talk about how good you use to be. That is not relevant to what you are doing now and it will not help keep people interested in your institution for too long.

Overall I felt proud to attend the Convocation and celebrate 144 years of Howard University. I hold this school to such a high standard and I love hearing about its accomplishments and what we are doing to help others. I wouldn’t trade Howard for anything.

More Than Dirt & Bones: A People Unearthed

I found this lecture both informative and interesting. I think that I may have liked this lecture more than the previous ones because this was a lecture about than just concepts. The site and the bones/artifacts are tangible. I can go see them so this lecture was easier to wrap my head around. Although I live in NYC, I had never even heard of this burial site until the first week of freshman seminar. Initially I thought that it would be just several skeletons a few feet apart. I did not realize that this would include the skeletons of babies or such things as shells worn by people. I also never realized just how much it is possible to find out from bones. I was really fascinated when Dr.Mack spoke of the woman who's muscles had torn and the woman who was shot and took some time to die. This reminds me of when people speak of the thousands that lost their lives on 9/11. One may feel sadness but it is not until faces and individual tales are put to the story that one understands the full magnitude of the circumstance. As silly as it may sound, I always thought of working in the fields as unbelievably hard work but I never thought of it as physically breaking the body down one muscle and limb at a time.

I am not completely certain that I understand the podcasts but what I think they are trying to emphasize is the importance of the burial ground to not just Africans. Several faiths and cultures are connected by way of the site. In my opinion, Howard University was chosen because it is an HBCU with scholars who have the capacity,tools,connections, and legacy to carry out the necessary research. Being that Howard is an HBCU, taking part in this project would mean that the importance and appreciation for the African burial ground would not be lost; it would be magnified. I am proud of HU's contributions.

Abandonment

This week's post spoke about the lack of knowledge that fills our lives when it comes to African culture.  Dr.Beatty spoke about the similarities in the American culture that was ultimately derived from the Africans. Dr. Beatty spoke about many aspects of the middle passage but his presentation lost me. There was nothing that captured my attention, except the similarities between Christianity and the religious African culture. before this lecture, i never thought about the westernized culture deriving religious aspects from the African culture. so far, i feel that freshman seminar is not a "freshman" class. every week we hear lectures about the African culture. while this is necessary and interesting, the topics in this seminar should consist of more than power points about the oppression of black people. when i came to Howard, i became a part of a legacy that improved with each generation. learning about Howard and the legacy of the school is a topic i feel should be addressed n freshman seminar

The Loss of a Sacred Culture

Dr. Mano Beatty’s lecture on the loss of the African culture through the process of the Middle Passage was interesting. I didn’t prefer his method of delivering this lecture because it was a little confusing but his attempted message was nice. He brought up topics that I’ve never stopped twice to think about. His main point was “when you are conceptualized as empty you are filled with anything surrounding you.” This is a very valid point when you look back at our ancestors and the many traditions we no longer follow or even know about.

 When our people were brought over from their native country they were left broken and lost, confused about what to do next or how to feel. So in order to fill this void they began adopting the customs of the white people and forgetting about their own ways. They lost language, names, heritage, and much more which resulted in them losing themselves completely. Our type of speech was different until we were moved out of our country where that way of speaking was not acceptable. I never stopped to think about many of the subtle things we do differently than whites and how much more noticeable it must have been back before we adapted to life here.

            For as much as they lost along the way, they also brought a lot to the U.S. such as science and technology, instruments, music, Agricultural cultivation, dance, storytelling, and more. White people and people of other races too don’t realize how much black people contributed to many of the things they enjoy today. It is difficult to further explain what I learned from this lecture because I honestly didn’t understand what he was trying to say most of the time but I think I understood the general idea.

Enlightened

The African Diaspora was created in the New World by the 16 million Africans who survived the Middle Passage, a 1-3 month dreadful journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Once in the New World the question was asked, “Did Africans lose everything?” After listening to Dr. Mario Beatty’s lecture the answer is clear, Africans did not lose everything, instead they combined what they knew and created a new way of life which is directly linked to their past.

When Dr. Beatty first asked the question, “Did Africans lose everything when they were taken from Africa and brought to the New World?” Many students believed that they did lose everything and they weren’t alone for Dr. Beatty let us know that many scholars also believed that Africans had lost everything. These scholars wrote books that had a narrative of lost and they believed that everything that Africans believed in came from the white man or the master, including Christianity. However Dr. Beatty was quick to counter their belief by explaining to us how the African people did not lose everything. He did this by asking those students who did not believe that Africans lost everything, what aspects of our lives are influenced by African culture. The students answered by saying that African culture influenced our; “music, food, dance, art, pride, intellect, faith, dialect, moral value and our innate sense of togetherness and survival.” By asking these questions, Dr. Beatty opened our eyes and allowed us to identify and recognize our culture, which was not an exact replica of Africa but is directly linked to Africa, “Something Torn and New.”

After he explained to us that Africa was alive and flourishing in our culture he began to go in to depth, by giving us specific examples of where you could still strongly see Africa’s influence, his prime example was the Maroon Societies. Maroon Societies are, “Self governing African society that recreates a sense of Africa.” They are located in Brazil, Jamaica, Haiti and even in the USA. I had known about the Maroon societies in Brazil, Jamaica and Haiti but I was not aware that there were also these societies in America but when I began to think about it, it is more than likely that Maroon societies do exist here it is just another aspect of our culture that we have failed to recognize... until now.

To ensure that we truly understood that African culture was our culture, just innovated but still directly linked to Africa, Dr. Beatty gave us more examples of where African culture can be seen in our everyday lives. His first example was aspects of the African social structure which were transferred to America, for example; “The Powerful Mother, and the role of the Chief, King and Minister” all these things have truly come from Africa and I feel like this lecture has been an eye opener for us all to really recognize who we are, where we come from and what an huge influence Africa, and our ancestors have had on this world. His second example was Science and Technology. He spoke about African Remedies and how people such as Sharla Fett who wrote “Working Cures” has transferred her knowledge into a book and by doing so has helped to enlighten those who were ignorant to things that Africans have known for centuries. His third example was music dance and language, which are in my opinion the easiest to recognize in our culture. Although society tries to undermine things such as Ebonics, I think it is time for us to embrace it in order to ensure the survival of our culture which has survived for over 400 years.

Dr. Carr taught us that Africa is the origin of all human knowledge and that Africans have not lost their culture, we just fail to recognize it in our everyday life. Dr. Gbadegesin taught us about some fundamental principles, the principles of Ma’at, which were created by Egyptians, which was an example of how Africa is the origin of all human knowledge. This week Dr. Beatty taught us just how this knowledge, our culture and these principles made it to the New World and the fact that they are still alive and flourishing today. He stated, “African culture has continued in a very complex way and we need a different view that makes the connection.” Dr. Beatty encourages us to really think about our culture and to make knowledgeable connections and when we do so to share what we believe, so that we can help to teach and enlighten other.

Every week we learn something new about the culture of the African people and how it relates to our American culture. This week Dr. Beatty talked about African culture impacting American culture. I thought that to be really interesting because a lot of Americans don't realize that Africa really does have a huge impact on American culture. It impacts our behaviors, music, beliefs etc. He also discussed social structure and the role of the household, which is discussed a lot in today's culture. These things are very informal and really open up your eyes to a new perspective of life

Sigh*

This week's lecture was about when Africans were brought to America and whether or not their culture was lost. Apparently, we have contributed a whole lot to every aspect of American culture.When America was first established, the amount of Africans was far more numerous than that of whites. Because of this, African culture in America was inevitable. I hated this lecture. I did not hate the lecture so much as I hated the presentation. The speaker reminded me of a muslim poet standing on a street corner. I was very confused throughout the lecture and it was just difficult to understand how one point connected to another and where he was trying to go with his points.

In addition, I thought this course was supposed to help with the transition from high school into college ... still waiting for the moment that this course does that. Every lecture is basically a rant about how white people are wrong about blacks and black people are great because of this and that ...I do not understand why this course is needed. It makes me wonder if students that do not go to HBCU's are actually learning in their 'Freshman Seminar'. I GET IT ALREADY !!!! ACTUALLY TEACH ME SOMETHING .

THE CHILDREN OF IWA

1. Last week Dr. Carr taught us about Africa, he let us know that Africa was the origin of all human knowledge. This week Dr. Gbadegesin elaborated on this concept by introducing us to the Principles of Ma’at. The principles of Ma’at originated in ancient Egypt before any other principles or laws, including the Ten Commandments. The principles of Ma’at, “taught Egyptians the importance of truth and justice, and how to maintain order, balance, and harmony.” Another topic of discussion was the importance of homage, which is like paying respect. Dr. Gbadegesin gave us a few examples of paying homage which included paying homage to, “the flatness of the foot.” Some people were confused as to why it was important to do this but I understood this concept, for our feet, whether big or small or odd looking, take us everywhere and without them life would be extremely difficult thus they deserve to be paid homage. This also showed me how important the little things in life are and how being respectful is an extremely important characteristic to have.

2. The ancient Egyptians also had their own philosophy, one of them being the importance of Iwa, or good character. Dr. Carr touched slightly on the topic of good character, but exclaimed on how he was excited to hear Dr. Gbadegesin elaborate on the topic. Dr. Gbadegesin did just this by telling us the story of Iwa and Orunmila. In this story, which I found to be extremely interesting, Orunmila mistreats Iwa, causing Iwa to leave, and when Iwa left, Orunmila lost everything. Therefore Orunmila in order to restore his life searched for Iwa. This story lead us to Dr. Gbadegesin’s key points about Iwa, which were;

a. Iwa is the good of existence

b. Iwa is beauty

c. Iwa leads to wealth

d. Iwa is the essence of religion.

3. We the students of Howard University are all, “Omoluabi, or a child begotten of the chief (or source) of Iwa.”(Omoluabi Power Point). Because of this we shall not only be internally motivated but also externally motivated, which entails us to be;

a. Responsible for the self

i. Remake self through good education

ii. Beware of miseducation

iii. Be appreciative of our University education

b. Responsible to the community

i. Serve community well with education

As children of Iwa we know the importance of wisdom and the difference between wisdom and knowledge which is, a wise man knows what to do with his knowledge. Also a wise man searches for a good a character and once that is obtained he has it all including immortality. as children of Iwa we shall do just this!

Future Pharaohs

Dr.Gbadegesin's lecture allowed me to take into consideration how lucky i am to be in college. Knowledge and education are truly important if you want to be successful. although success may mean different things to different people, i view success as life without struggle.one main point of Dr.Gbadegesin's lecture was the importance of education and wisdom. if educate yourself, nobody can ever lead you down the wrong path because you have armed your self with the most important weapon;knowledge. Another point of the lecture was Dr.Gbadegesin's words on miseducation. since i have been at Howard, i have realized that when you think for yourself and you have your on ideas you open your self up to new opportunities. although it was apart of a poem, the line from A Yoruba Poem,"cosmetic beauty may fade" is a very powerful statement which leads to my third point. in today's society. outer beauty seems to overshadow the personality, mind, and intelligence of an individual. Long hair, light skin tone, and slim body equate perfection. After hearing Dr.Gbadegesin's lecture, i realized that yo can be robbed of your looks, but not of your mind. when looks fade and the body falls by the wayside, your mind will still be young and firm.

Character is Everything

Dr. G’s lecture definitely hit many interesting and enlightening points. He opened my eyes to new concepts and made me reflect on what more I could do to transform and develop more knowledge on particular subjects. I really enjoyed hearing him speak on how to transform and advance old, misconstrued knowledge, build your character, and give Ijuba to those in the past. He proved that concepts people hold such as, “Africans have no history” or “There is no Black philosophy” are completely incorrect because we have history of philosophy that dates even before the Bible and Christ. The Goddess Ma’at and the Principles of Ma’at are just two examples of the beliefs and structure the Ancient Egyptians held as a form of detailed philosophy. It’s sad to know so many people go through life ignorant to the fact that they hold false knowledge of our history whether by choice or due to circumstances. I loved when Dr. G explained the difference between knowledge, to be able to acquire information, and wisdom, to have the knowledge and apply it to life. Wisdom is what we should all strive for as he stated that knowledge alone is not enough.

Having wisdom in life would also help to build your character which is the most important asset to being a human being. Dr. G spoke a lot about how essential it is to have good character; to lose your character is to lose yourself. Omoluabi is a term which refers to “A person of character, disciplined, and self-improving, thus earning the respect of peers and community…” This term is also related to Iwa, the general idea of good existence and character. “Honor may vanish from your house, Cosmetic beauty may fade, Iwa is what endures even into the grave, Take care of your iwa.” This quote stresses the importance of good character and I think it is one to remember always.

A final point he made was in relation to paying Ijuba, homage, to those who came before us and for all that we have. It is another way of giving thanks for everything we have been given and acknowledging that we are here on this earth because of ancestors so we should also acknowledge that. We should also give homage to ourselves and those surrounding us who may help in everyday life. Overall I found Dr. G’s lecture to be very enlightening and I enjoyed getting further knowledge on subjects that are rarely ever touched in history books and in classrooms.

Omoluabi

Going into this freshman seminar I didn't know what to expect, actually going into any freshman seminar i never know what I'm about to learn. I knew we had a guest speaker from Africa coming to do a lecture but I didn't know what about. When he started to lecture I was a little confused because I didn't really understand him too clearly but there were a few things that stood out to me as he went on. "Omoluabi", meaning a person of character who is self improving. When we learned more about what this phrase meant, it reminded me of a college student. It goes on to say it means, gaining the respect of others and putting your education and knowledge to service the community, and this is exactly what you're trying to do in a college setting. Dr. G went on to talk about academic knowledge. He said there is a motive which leads to advancement and finally transformation. These steps describe the very steps we take through college, at the end we will transform into a completely different person. Something else that stood out to me were "The Instructions of Ptahhotep". This stated that a man of character is a man of wealth, and as I read this, it meant to me that you don't need to have money in order to be wealthy. Your character, the way you treat others, the way you contribute to society, they love you receive from your family and peers, defines your wealth, not money.