Reflection

At first, I thought freshman seminar would be about the history of Howard. Obviously, it turned out to be completely different. I do not understand the purpose of the topics that they chose for the course. I think better topics could have been chosen for us to enhance are critical and analytical skills. The organizational methods could be improved to ensure that all students have a clear understanding of what they are to accomplish. I don’t think this course benefited me as much as they made it seem it would. The better part of the course was connecting commonalities in the blogs from the lectures each week.

Group Presentations

Initially, our group had a hard time coming up with a solid question for the project. At first, the question was too broad. We eventually narrowed down our topic to a more specific topic which was the differences between an American education and an African education today. Overall, we communicated as a group well in the beginning, but fell off a little bit as we approached the end. However, we pulled together in the end a delivered a solid presentation. All the other groups in the cohort each gave good presentations as well. Many of them had different formats that worked for each groups’ topic. Overall, the presentations reflected the hardworking nature of Howard students.

Just the Beginning.

At the beginning of the semester...let's just say Seminar was not my favorite mandatory to graduate class. Over time, though, I grew to love it. Some Tuesdays it was just a really early class about African stuff, but once I left, I felt different--about my education, my life, and myself. Freshman Seminar taught me about a lot of things happening in my life directly and indirectly. Things we talked about in class pertained my personal life when the lecturers didn't even know anything about me. Freshman Seminar has overall made me a stronger African American, female, and person in general. I appreciate the class so much.

Freshman Seminar, its been fun.

My first semester at Howard has definitely been an experience. Late nights and early mornings have taught me the art of hard work and commitment. Entering Howard I was informed that I had to take a Freshman Seminar class. Through this class I have learned various random topics pertaining to African peoples, which has ultimately helped me look at my education in a different light. Freshman Seminar forced us students to think of education ,more as an experience, then an object. From learning about our ancestors being buried under New York, to being informed on the schools in Africa, I have been inspired and informed on this everlasting journey of “school”.

Group Presentations.

Our group was the first group to present. In our presentation, we compared American education with African education. Through our research, I learned a lot. The biggest thing I learned was that western colonization is what really frames developed African countries' education systems, South Africa in particular. The more westernized a country is, the better the education available for people is. This westernization is undoubtedly pulling Africans further and further from their roots. My groups presentations, along with the rest of the presentations taught me so much. All of them were relatable to the lectures we had in class, so everything built upon itself. Learning more detailed information about some of the lectures made things clearer to me. I appreciated that.

First Group Experience

My group project was pretty smooth. Howard University doesn’t require us students to do many group activities, which I am ultimately grateful for because I don’t like the idea of somebody else having control over my grade, so this being my first one I can say it has been a good experience. The other groups did decent, but I feel my group was superior in our efforts. I did learn a lot however, about my topics and other students’. It is truly amazing the thirst for learning that students in Africa have. If half of American students had the drive that some African students have, our country would be a more educated place to say the least. Overall the group experience was a worth while one.

My Reflection

Freshman Seminar was not one of my favorite classes simply for the fact of how early it took place. Gradually, it became more of a chore me to rise out of my comfortable bed to simply sit and listen to a 50 minute long lecture. Though attending class became tedious, I did learn some valuable information from the lecturers. Lecturers like Dr. Carr was able to hold my attention so that I could learn about things and subject I was ignorant about prior to this class. The amount of black history and African culture appreciation taught within the class was quite interesting and proved to be valuable to me.

Overall, my first semester here at The Mecca has been an enjoyable one. Though it was not necessarily easy to juggle my social life and academics, it has been a very good learning experiences. I have met many people and made many new friends for whom I am thankful. I cannot wait for the Spring semester now!

Our Presentation: Group 35

I believe our presentation went very well! We all individually came on time and prepared to discuss our research and present it to the class and our instructor. When he asked us questions pertaining to our Power Point presentation, we were able to answer them intelligently and informatively. I'm proud of our group for researching and learning about a topic relevant and important to us as well as the lectures throughout this semester.

At first, I was not too particularly excited about Howard Homecoming. There was no anticipation and I did not feel any anxiousness. I did not buy any tickets to any events that were being held during Homecoming week because I did not have any desire to go. I never really got into the hype of Homecoming until Friday during Yard Fest. I was not expecting to see vendors with good barbecued food, or people that did not attend Howard. The enjoyed everyone’s positive and optimistic energy. On Saturday morning, the parade was an eventful sight to see. It was amazing to see the smallest of kids participating in the school bands. It showed that they were actively involved in a positive activity. One of the reasons why I wanted to attend an HBCU was to experience the hype over the bands. Howard’s Homecoming definitely fulfilled my expectations. The half time show was amazing and North Carolina A&T put on a show. Overall, Howard Homecoming was a good experience.

Homecoming was...

Homecoming was an expierence. There was alot of hype for this weekend, and honestly  it didnt met the hype. I feel the whole experience was more targeted towardsthe alumni and the upprclassmen. From the clubs being overpriced, to the overcrowding of the events homecoming was hyped up. I have faith in my years to come tho.

Prestige.

Howard University's homecoming week...good stuff. Everyone knows about the hype, but I got to experience it for the first time.
     Well, this past week, as we all know, was homecoming week. All week long, different activities/concerts/shows were put on at different venues throughout the city. Fashion shows, poetry ciphers, basketball games, gospel shows, all went down. Those plus the game and YardFest, of course.
     The one thing I really wanted to attend was the poetry cipher. It was on Tuesday and it was wicked. The performances by the students were amazing. The special guests included Omari Hardwick, Queen Godis, and Talib Kweli. I loved it. I'm super glad I made it.
     I also planned on going to the R&B show, but tickets were sold out by the time I was getting mine. Note to self, by all tickets in advance next year.
     In all, I only attended the poetry cipher and the YardFest, but they were both great. I don't believe I got the whole "homecoming experience," though. It's no big deal or anything. I enjoyed everything I did and everyone I met. Besides, there's always next year.

Madness

Saturday night I experienced my first Midnight Madness. There was a lot of hype for the event, everyone told me how fun it was the previous years and how I definitely needed to go since it is my freshman year. Well the event did not met my expectations. First of all, the entire gym was reserved for clubs so the clubs that my group of friends and I did find were all the way at the top. Then, while I was expecting some type of artists to come out, they brought out some random artists that I personally had never heard of before and couldn’t even hear because of the speakers. Then there was a fight. I understand that fights happen, but the time and location of this one was very unfortunate. The ignorant stereotypes (that we as black people whom are trying to overcome these stereotypes just by being in college) upon us were definitely portrayed as true. We are the number one HBCU and fights like this just shouldn’t happen, especially at an “organized” event. Who knows, this fights could show up on the news or something and portray the school, MY school, in a bad light.

Freshman Seminar Lectures

The lectures for this course all emphasized the need to recognize our correct history to re-educate ourselves. We cannot move on intellectually or expect to be intellectually free, as Dr. Carr stated, without recognizing the flaw in how we are being educated. We cannot limit ourselves to the confines of the American society because we are African Americans. Researching our past will allow us to advance our current way of thinking. We must research our past, the real past. We must find out our African roots all the way back to classical Africa and confirm that they are accurate. Once we correctly see where we came from we can move on and grow from that because we have the right foundation. We must continue to emphasize and recognize our contributions to white society, so we can be taught accurately. Recognizing and emphasizing the African presence will allow intellectual freedom. I believe just hearing these lectures have made me more intellectually free.

Miss Evers' Boys.

Howard University's Department of Fine Arts put on a play this past week entitled "Miss Evers' Boys." The play was about four men, their nurse, Miss Evers, and the 1932 Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments. Syphilis was a major problem affecting many African American males. These four friends, Willie, Hodman, Caleb, and Ben, all found out that they had it. Nurse Evers became their nurse and took as much care of them as she could. They ended up being a part of the experiment, but were not allowed to get penicillin when the prescriptions were given out. Miss Evers had a hard time trying to figure out how to explain to her "boys" why exactly they couldn't get the penicillin, when that's what could keep them alive. The play was extremely compelling and I would definitely recommend it to anyway.

Appreciate School

This week Mrs. Worthy came to our class and gave us a lecture about her life and her participation in a program in Africa called LEAP that uplifts the education of African children. To start off, I was very impressed by this lady. It’s not frequent that someone talks and I can tell that they obviously LOVE what they do, but this was the case with Mrs. Worthy. She explained to us the way that she was educated as a young child under African traditions, and to me at least, it seemed more effective than the traditional way we normally learn in America. Then she talked about how growing up she was involved with almost every protest in DC. With this Mrs .Worthy learned to stand up for what she believed in. After making her career choice to become a teacher, and excelling every year, she decided to take her ability to Africa, were she became involved with the LEAP program. She showed us a video of some of the kids dancing and expressing themselves. It also showed their appreciation for the situation. I realized that we some what take advantage of our situation here, and we really should be more appreciative of our school system.

A Charge to Keep.

     The lecture this past week was given by Kimberly Worthy. She has been an advocate for educational excellence in urban school for the past twelve years. During her lecture she talked about many things, but three key points she covered were culturally relevant teaching, LEAP, and education in Africa.

     Culturally relevant teaching involves empowering students in order to give them the motivation and purpose they need to succeed in life. It brings out how students need to be taught from a perspective not that of mainstream society. I absolutely agree with that. If the teaching methods used are no longer working, teachers need to be prepared to adapt and to change. They need to be ready to change even if the change is something out of the ordinary or away from the “norm.” African American children also need to learn about their heritage from early on. Where they came from should always be taught. They should never have to question how wonderful they and their ancestors are.

     LEAP Science and Math School is a chain of schools throughout South Africa. The school validates and exalts traditional cultures, so no one ever feels as though they are inferior. It also incorporates African Epistemology in the learning environments. A lot of emphasis is placed on UBUNTU-humanity. LEAP’s mission statement is: “Be kind, be honest, be healthy, be punctual, look good, work hard, never give up, admit mistakes, learn from mistakes, confront issues, be open to change, work together, share as much as you can.” I think that should be the mission statement for every teaching institution. That is a very positive thing to teach children to live by. That is the type of thing all people should live by.

African Burial Ground Trip

When we first arrived at the African Burial Ground, we participated in a libation led by Dr. Carr. He uplifted the names of the ancestors in the burial ground and encouraged us to call out the names of our own ancestors. Inside the museum, there were different sections dedicated to the ancestors of the burial ground and the project. There was a replica of what a funeral might have looked like. In the theatre, there was a short movie that talked about what a funeral might have consisted of. The funerals served as a chance for the community to be brought together and recognize those that passed. They were sacred and many were carried on even though the white people forbid them from happening. On the second part of the trip, we visited Harlem. This was the city to live in for a black person during the Great Migration. In the mid 1900s, Harlem was a rich and cultural city, but visiting it now, there is only a little culture left. Most of the city is run down and we had to navigate through the good and bad parts. It was still important to see the city to recognize the importance of where the Harlem Renaissance originated. Many great figures of black culture, like Ralph Ellison and Duke Ellington, stayed in the apartments of Harlem. There was still an atmosphere of black culture in the area. Many of the businesses of the area seemed to be black owned. For me, this trip helped me to realize the importance of community. The ancestors of the burial ground relied on the community, as well as the blacks currently living in Harlem and the ones from the Harlem Renaissance.

Culturally Relevant Teaching

This week’s lecture focused on culturally relevant teaching. Dr. Edwin Nichols focused her teaching career on enable her students through culturally relevant teaching. In the LEAP Math and Science schools, they practice culturally relevant teaching by emphasizing African logic, epistemological styles, relationships, cultural visibility, and social, emotional, and political responsibility. The LEAP school showcased cultural visibility by chanting ancestral African songs and dancing in unison. America does not have culturally relevant teaching in public schools because not everyone comes from the same background. We are not able to pull together and identify with one common culture. The students in the LEAP school are not confined to a set schedule. Dr. Nichols said they do not use clocks. Their education is not put on a time limit. Culturally relevant teaching provides a comfortable environment for students to relate to each other. It not only focuses on academic aspects, but social-emotional aspects and community responsibility. This makes the teaching style successful because they focus more on all aspects of what the student needs not just an education. Public schools now just focus on what the student needs for an education. They expect the parents to take care of everything else. Some students are left behind in this system and never make anything of it. The LEAP schools emphasize the theory of Ubuntu. These reiterate basic human principles that encourage the students to be descent human beings. Culturally relevant teaching should be implemented into the school systems in America to encourage the growth of a well rounded student.

Miss Evers's Boys

Miss Evers’s Boys was a play about the Tuskegee Experiments. It was a sad account of how the American government used black men as guinea pigs for the syphilis disease study. Unfortunately, these men went untreated for several years, but were told they were being given cures. When a cure for the disease, penicillin, came out, they still were not allowed to be treated. The white doctor insisted that they needed to complete the study, so other lives could be saved. However, there really was no need to kill these men. White society did not want to sacrifice its own members, but chose to kill of black men for a disease that affected both races equally. America segregated blacks anywhere they could, from something as simple as a water fountain to something as major as a medical problem. Miss Evers was put in a tough situation. She had to choose between her love of nursing and her love of those men. In the end, she chose her love of nursing. I don’t think Miss Evers truly loved those men because she would have done anything to get those men some penicillin. Miss Evers had a tough decision to make, and I think she chose the wrong one. She helped contribute to the death of those men by not giving them proper treatment. Caleb was wise to leave and seek the help, but most of the others did not have the same fortune. Miss Evers’s waited too long to give them the cure. Miss Evers’s Boys showed what happened to the men in the Tuskegee Experiments.

A Charge to Keep: Ms. Kimberley Worthy

Ms. Worthy, an educator for the past 12 years, has focused her career on being an advocate for educational excellence in schools within urban areas. She serves as a “Culturally Relevant Teacher” in the social studies and in English. Throughout her lecture to my freshman seminar class on Tuesday, she covered three key points: cultural relevance, the values of LEAP, and ubunto – humanity. Ms. Worthy discussed the importance of teaching the youth of today aspects of their culture that are relevant to today. She stated that the teaching of cultural relevance validates traditional cultures, promotes holistic learning, and places emphasis on a relationship with African roots. Cultural relevance, in total, empowers students politically, economically, and socially. Ms. Worthy in her lecture also focused on the values of her education program in South Africa, LEAP. She shared with us that her students in the LEAP program learn values such as be kind, confront issues, and be open to change. Those along with the other values of LEAP are aspects her students are educated by. They also contribute to the idea of ubunto, which means humanity. Humanity, or ubunto, focuses on one’s appreciation of man as well as the importance of man. It is a Zulu proverb that a person is a person through other persons and that we affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others. Ultimately, Ms. Worthy’s presentation highlighted that these three key points can add value and meaning to one’s education. It allows education to be expanded and broadens the definition of it.

Miss Evers' Boys

Miss Evers’ Boys was a play put on by the Howard University Department of Fine Arts. The plot of the play followed a group of four men in the south and their nurse, nurse Evers’ as they go through a syphilis epidemic that is present in their town called the Tuskegee Experiment. The four men are a group of friends full of aspiration, life, and hope as they live their lives in the south traveling and competing in competitions as a performing band with instruments and dancing. Miss Evers supported them as they traveled and performed and became a dear friend to them as well as an advocate to medicine when they were told they were unhealthy with syphilis. The play showcased the relationships between the boys and Miss Evers and the struggle Miss Evers as both a nurse and a friend had to go through while treating this specific group of men and secretly involving them in the experiment. Miss Evers must fulfill her duties and uphold her oath as a medical nurse while sustaining the establish friendship she had with these men. As the plot of the play went on, Miss Evers continued to struggle with the constant choice between her profession and her personal relationship with her friends. The play’s actors were full of emotion, life, and character and gave the production a great quality. The production’s moments of drama and intensity were countered with comedic relief throughout the show. I greatly enjoyed this project and commend the University’s Department of Fine Arts for exceeded my expectations of the show.

Dr. Abunbola Has Been Everywhere

Thursday night I went to listen to the lecture by Dr, Abunbola. When I walked into the lecture I heard the Doctor singing. He was talking about the pilgrimage to the Meca, in Islam religion. He then explained there are six parts of Africa with “bad people”. Then he started talking about Brazil. He explains about 95 million people in Brazil are black. Up until 1962, black people made up about 3/4 of the people. Then, the government came in and took over. Dr. Abunbola went to Brazil and met only three people who were able to speak his natural tongue. He explained that when american woman  go to Africa they are treated with power. Even with this, there was no society were women were free. Then he spoke on Cuba. He stated that Cuba had control of the whole world at one point under Castro. He then went to saying that African Americans are looked at as white people in Africa because of lack of language.In 1991 the Doctor founded a congress. He has held congresses all over Africa and even in San Francisco. They started with 12 delegates from twelve countries and now, they have branches from all countries in the world. 5,000 people attended the congress in Cuba, held in the convention palace.

The Eloquence of Scribes

Throughout my education and time here at Howard I plan to be a part of the “Best and Brightest” by participating in my activities and academics to the best of my ability at all times. I’ll strive to do what it is needed in order to be successful in what I do. To be the best of Howard consists of upholding the institution’s values and morals as well as fulfill the duties it presents to its students. To be a citizen today it means to do your part in service to others in order to better your environment and life. Citizenship and community service can collectively inform my world of what one can do to better their living situations or environments. A representative thinker of Howard I believe is Spanish professor, Aldris Bolton. She presents passion when speaking of different issues in today’s world and is an inspiration because of her desire to change what she sees as incorrect and unjust.

“The Eloquence of the Scribes”: Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery—Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

1. What can and will you do to be a part of the "best and brightest" of Howard?

I guess there are a lot of things that I can do to be a part of the "best and brightest" of Howard University. I believe the first step all of us made to becoming a part of the best and brightest was deciding to attend. After taking that step, I can make sure I'm active in organizations that make a change. I also must stay on top of my classwork, so one day I can be something positive for my black community. 

2. What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? How does your citizenship in the nation inform your world citizenry?

I feel being a citizen of the world means being more than just born into the world. That obviously classifies you as a citizen, but being a meaningful citizen means helping the world around you. Doing things that positively impact your community-things that positively impact your community and the communities of others.

3. Identify a representative thinker of Howard. How does that figure's life work inspire you to "till and turn over the soil" which, as Dr Thornton noted, is expected of each Howard student.

I think all of the staff and students at Howard are representative thinkers of our university. I think all of them are doing something that inspires me. I walk around campus everyday and see nothing but inspiration. I am so proud to be in the presence of such individuals.

Self Actualization

This week’s lecture focused on self actualization, which entails understanding the fundamental ideas that surround oneself and obtaining a personal identity that gives you purpose. To be the best and brightest of Howard, I must take the initiative in productive functions that will help me grow as a student and person. I must pay attention and learn from my peers and mentors. Dr. Thornton suggests that we should take care of business and choose what we want to be to constitute ourselves. In order to be a citizen of the world, one must be aware of what is going on globally. We should fight against the current structure by creating universal rights that include all people. When we define our citizenship in the nation by being aware, we can move on to defining our global citizenship. First, we must take care of domestic affairs before we can move on to the world. The last part of Howard University’s mission states that Howard intends to “produce leaders for America and the global community.” Without a doubt, Andrew Young, a graduate from Howard University, became a leader of America and the global community. He helped instigate a piece of legislation that changed America for the better. Globally, Andrew Young attempted to smooth out and calm foreign relations by becoming the first African- American to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. In the future, I hope to become a leader for America and the world, but for now I am only a leader in my community. In everything I participate in, I try to find ways to take leadership positions because I want to have a direct impact on the change that occurs.

Opening Convocation: 144 Years Strong

     On Friday, Howard U had its 144th opening convocation.  It was a wonderful ceremony that not only inspired me, but got me out of a couple of classes (oh yea!).We celebrated "the university’s history to chart a path, the calling together of the community," as said by President Ribeau.
     Dr. Michael Lomax, cheif executive of UNCF, was granted an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Howard. During his speech, he said "Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the most effective institutions in the academy for producing black graduates." He brought out how historically black colleges and universities are needed because they continue to outperform the remainder of colleges in awarding degrees to African- Americans.  We, as black schools, have made a lot of progress, but there is and will always be a lot more to make. When change comes, we have to embrace it and do something about it. We are deep and rich and full of history, but we cannot become complacent. We must "discover a creative discomfort that will motivate them to struggle, determined to be better."

Convocation

Howard had its’ annual convocation this week. Honestly I had no idea what a convocation was, then I heard it was a ceremony to bless the school year and I decided to go. Dr. Michael Lomax talked about HBCUs. In his speech he spoke on the uplifting of HBCUs and their attendance. Howard’s main focus is to make students who can compete in any market, anywhere in the world. He then hit a very important subject. He talked about the University’s need to provide the students a happy experience because when we becoming alumni, we are hoped to fund the school. I strongly believe in this. I understand the whole concept of us students needing to mature and everything, but Howard’s tactic of teaching this is becoming a hassle. Sacrifices are necessary for progress and this speech was a wake up call I feel Howard needed to hear.

African Burial Ground

     Professor Mack did a great job with his presentation of the African Burial Ground.  Not only was his information interesting, the fact that he actually experienced everything he talked about first hand was great.  Knowing that I have the chance to go and see the things he showed in his powerpoint and talked about during his lecture is pretty cool.

     The whole project and  monument, in general, is super awesome.  It's extremely interesting. I definitely want to go to the grounds come October.  I don't really know how I'll feel about it, though.  I think it's the kind of thing that you have to experience to be able to talk about. I can't even imagine how I'll feel.

     I believe Howard U was chosen to study the remains from the grounds because we are, as everyone knows, the Mecca.  We have some of the best scientists and researchers in the country, and people from our university have been making impressions in this project since it started.

     Howard's involvement in this project most definitely inspires me.  Who wouldn't want to be apart of such a powerful legacy?  Being able to take the knowledge that you possess and help others around you with it is a beautiful thing, that happens here at Howard.  I love it.

African Burial Ground

This week Professor Mack came and spoke to the class about the African Burial Ground founded in New York City. This lecture was very intriguing due to the fact that Professor Mack showed us and gave us stories concerning Africans through through their ancestral bones. The researches at the site of the burial ground opened i believe it was 400 coffins.It was special that these Africans had coffins because it showed that there was an effort in their burial process, instead of the common desertion of the bodies.  In the coffins, there were some occasions were babies would be buried in their mother’s arms. I thought this was interesting because it hinted at some type of plaque or famine. It hurts me to know that America built buildings on top of our ancestors. It’s almost like they are trying to hide something, but that road leads to conspiracy and secrets, and is one I’m not prepared to go down. It makes me proud on the other hand that my university, Howard University, took part in the research to learn about African Ancestors.

African?

When Professor Mack first asked the question "What does it mean to be African?" I began thinking what the actual meaning to that term really meant. Professor Mack started off with giving the history of how it was to be African-American in the United States and how there was much borders between the white man and colored man, even when it came to burying them. He gave much history on slavery in New York, and how the first market so sell slaves was in 1729 on Wall Street. It's very ironic so see that that place is still a big representation of the economy till today. Professor Mack went on to say how in the currently, buildings all over New York city are built on top of African burial grounds, with no respect to dead. And the places that were digging up bodies found the bodies with a lot of abuse because of all the work they had done as slaves. With no respect to the dead, or the slaves during their lifetime, it shows how much Africans were mistreated, and are right now. He said that we need to understand our history in order to understand ourselves, because knowing the meaning of an 'African' will make us find the meaning of ourselves as a whole.

African Burial Ground

Professor Mack’s presentation showed how he uncovered the lives of African Americans through their bone structure and dental structure. It was interesting to see how one could figure out what kind of life or line of work the African Americans did all based on how their teeth were shaped. I cannot really say how I will feel when visiting the burial ground in October, but I am definitely interested to personally experience the burial ground for myself. I think Howard University was chosen to study the remains because they are one of the top researching schools in the country. They also protested against building over the burial ground and were willing to help excavate the grounds but not exploit them. Howard’s involvement in the project inspires me to want to make a change. It encourages me to know that my voice can and will be heard. Howard University was eager to jump on board with the project because it was an opportunity to learn about our ancestors first hand. Howard dug up or roots and shared it with the community. Howard University took advantage of the burial ground as a learning experience to transform academic knowledge.

The "Art of Africa"

Since September 6th, an exhibit showcasing the works of Warren Robins has been on display on Howard University’s Gallery of Art and is entitled “Art of Africa.” The exhibit puts on display Robin’s collection from the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art of which he is the founding director emeritus. During the class’ visit to the exhibit last Friday a panel of intellectuals and scholars from various parts of Africa spoke to the audience of their opinions on African culture and the importance of it.

Robins spearheaded the conversation amongst his peers and colleagues in his first language, Spanish. He as well as the other scholars spoke Spanish as their native tongue, highlighting the effects of the African Diaspora and migration to places all over the world. The panel discussion covered basically the fundamentals of African culture and on the fact that we are all connected to it in some way or form. Robins even used a student from the audience and demonstrated that we have common ancestry even though we may live in different places, speak different languages, and wear different clothing.

The panel discussion overall gave students who attended a slight overview of the influence African culture has on today’s American people and society. It was an educational, interesting experience that was able to teach new things to new people.

Howard University's Annual Convocation

This past Friday at 11 a.m. the President of the United Negro College Fund Doctor Michael Lomax gave the key address at this year’s Howard University Convocation. Throughout his speech, Doctor Lomax spoke on the importance Black youth and its need for education. He stated that only some Black Americans attend college when all should be afforded the opportunity to do so. He allowed me to see that resting on past ways and accomplishments will not help us as Black America to advance and educate our people. In order to progress, we must recognize new ways of doing things so that the advancement of Black America and education can take place. Dr. Lomax also discussed the tough realities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He brought to light the competitiveness between students and faculty in leadership and that it’s important to keep Black Colleges and Universities afloat in order to educated black students and specifically black males. Dr. Lomax overall gave a moving and insightful speech about the importance of education as we continue through the upcoming school year.Hoho

Howard University's 144th Convocation

The 144th Convocation granted Dr. Michael Lomax, chief executive of UNCF, an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University. He spoke on what HBCU’s need to improve attendance of students and become better universities. Attending Howard University’s Convocation helped make me aware of what Howard University needs to do to advance the university to be relevant and competitive in today’s society while maintaining the mission of Howard. Howard strives to produce “globally competent students who are highly competitive (Renee Higginbotham-Brooks)” often making them desirable in today’s market. Dr. Lomax stressed the need to treat students right because they “are customers and can take their business elsewhere,” meaning the university needs students to return the favor of funding the school after graduating. Dr. Lomax also stated that colleges cannot just sit back and relax on past accomplishments. They must focus on what needs to be done and not what has already been done. Howard must develop new and creative ways for transforming itself. Dr. Lomax called this “creative discomfort.” It will not please everybody, but sacrifices must be made to advance the university. Overall, the Convocation was an enlightening experience that made me aware of what I, as a student, need to do and what Howard needs to do to help Howard University achieve more accomplishments.

Resistance

Dr. Mario Beatty dissected African American’s contain of self culture. He started the lecture asking us what we thought the Africans retained on their way through the Middle Passage. Some of the things that came to my mind were food, dances, dialect, and general culture. These were all correct. The Europeans were able to take physical items from the Africans but the non physical items which they contained could never be tampered with. Until.... the moved to the New World. Once they arrived at the New World, most Africans adapted European culture. They were force feed this culture, and with time were made to accept it. While traveling the Middle Passage some Africans completely resisted the change in culture and thus, formed Maroon Societies. These Maroon Societies were basically little towns or villages in which Africans completely kept their culture in a foreign land. These villages were great for the people, but after about a hundred years the major ones, were destroyed. These destructions go to show the Europeans tyranny on the African Peoples and they’re strong resistance to the New World.

The Dismemberment of African Culture

This week’s lecture focused on the abandonment and dismemberment of African culture in the New World. There were different views on whether African culture was completely decimated or kept intact. One way scholars explain dismemberment is the way a new culture formed from the combination of African and European traditions, but primarily giving attention to European traditions. As slaves became deeply rooted into American society, African traditions remained such as dancing, music, medicine, etc. Sharla Fett explains how medicine men and women used traditional African remedies to cure people because they did not get it from the white doctors. Therefore, these aspects preserved African culture. However, over the decades, African traditions began to disappear as African Americans began to slowly assimilate into white society. As generations became further removed from the first Africans that were brought over, African culture was not preserved and blacks were uneducated on certain aspects. Gomez’s suggestion for transforming academic knowledge is to “rewrite the history of the Americas [by] emphasizing the African presence and impact.” Recognizing and emphasizing the African presence will allow intellectual freedom.

Abandonment and Dismemberment: "Something Torn and New"

     Dr. Beatty gave the lecture for this week. The abandonment and dismemberment mentioned to in the title of the lecture referred to the Middle Passage. The Middle Passage. Represents the
(one to three month) process of forcible taking African people off of the continent and taking them to other parts of the New World.
     Dr. Beatty posed a very intriguing question to us at the beginning of his lecture. It was "Does a physical abandonment/dismemberment equate with a cultural one?"After he asked us, we talked about the things that were brought over to America from our ancestors and the African culture. Some of the things mentioned were music, family, language, literature, food, dance, morals, ethics, stories, and religion. He also mentioned a book by Melville Herskovits that discussed that very topic. The book is entitled The Myth of the Negro Past, and in it he gives five areas of things brought over with the Africans: music, speech, religion, cuisine, song.
     Also, during the lecture, he talked about the different ways of explaining the "dismemberment." The first way is by creating historical narratives that deal with loss and emptiness. The second was by creating historical narratives of African continuity and collective synthesis and transformation interfacing with particular social conditions. The last way was by creating historical narratives of newness that assembles and combines African and European traditions, often giving primacy to the European side of the equation.
     The last note I wrote down was the definition of culture. Intergenerational, transmitted beliefs, behaviors, values, and world views that express humanity and communal identity. Even when we were stripped from our homeland, we kept our culture. To this day, that culture is still present.