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.