We need Young Leaders...

Dr. Thornton is a Morehouse and Howard graduate. It would have been very interesting to hear him speak during the football classic week. During his lecture, he preached about the importance of freshman seminar. He told us how both of his daughter took the class and that it enriched their lives. He believes that you get your beginning in freshman seminar. Throughout his lecture he preached that we need new young replacement leaders and that we are apart of the talented 10th. I learned about the talented 10th in High School and I always wondered who was in that category. It was a real eye opener when he stated that WE were in that extraordinary group. And when I thought of the statistics of blacka in college in my head, I realized, he was right. I never thought that realistically I was apart of that group, however, I am!! He also spoke on other topics like one's choice in friends, which is an excellent topic for college freshman. Your choice in friends can affect many of your decisions and possibly your entire life. At the end of his lecture he opened the floor for questions and I really liked the fact that he did so because it created an open dialogue and made the students engage more into what he was speaking about. Some of the questions that were asked were about urban public schools and issues with public health care. Although, throughout the lecture I sometimes thought I was listening to a Baptist preacher, his speech had valid points.

Parker Gilkesson
@02660576
Group 19

Convocation: A Howard Tradition

As a freshman this year, I attended convocation for the first time. Going into it I had no idea what it was but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was such a wonderful experience. I learned a lot from the speaker, Micheal Lomax. He provided a lot of insight into the world of HBCU's and the steps being taken toward improving their status. The points that he made were very enlightening. It was refreshing see that he addressed the problem of the black male not attending HBCUs. I believe this is due to the fact that HBCUs are underfunded and are not able to give scholarships that other universities are able to. I am glad that UNCF is trying to eradicate this problem by getting more funding for HBCUs and insuring that they make the necessary improvements. I believe that it is important to also promote other HBCUs and build them up as opposed to competing with one another. Convocation is definitely something that I would recommend everyone attend because it displays all that Howard University has to offer.

144th Convocation of Howard University

Michael Lomax, UNCF President and Chief, was the keynote speaker and also received a Doctor of Humane Letters at the 144th Convocation held in Cramtom Auditorium on September 23rd, 2011. He approached the podium with a smile on his face and first acknowledged everyone present and lastly acknowledged the amazing Howard University choir and orchestra. He said that "There is nothing like an African American choir." From there on went on to speak about how he ran for Mayor twice in the city of Atlanta, my hometown, and did not win either times. Lomax then pointed out Mayor Kasim Reed in the row behind him and said, "Now I know why I didn't win the Mayoral position...because I went to the wrong school." He attended Morehouse College and was implying that if he had attended Howard University that he may have possibly won the position of Mayor. Three Howard Alum have been the Mayor of Atlanta: Shirley Franklin, Andrew Young, and now, Kasim Reed. After cracking a few jokes, Lomax goes onto the main part of his speech, education and the UNCF. He speaks on a few major points but the most important I believe is that we need an increase in African Americans going to college or graduating in general. Whether it be from high school or college, the rate should be increasing and he believes that the UNCF can help with that. There are many scholarships offered and other ways young, African Americans can use to get on the path to attending college. Lomax touched on that all it takes is involvement and determination. He says, "We cannot afford to lose anymore black colleges. They need to perform at the top of their game." Howard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the WORLD. People look up to us. When I used to tell people I was attending Howard, they would say "Wow, I'm so proud of you." or "That is an amazing school and you will do great things." Lomax feels the same way about our institution. He concludes by saying "Howard was there for you, now Howard needs you."

He was an outstanding speaker. He was funny and captivating. I know his family personally and I've seen him in a family oriented light, but this was an amazing experience to hear him speak about such an important topic, education, especially in Black America.

Alexis Nicole Thrasher

@02661188

Group 19

The evolution of HU from Conservative to Activist

Dr. Wright truly spoke from the heart during our lecture on Wednesday. He didn't have a powerpoint and it didn't even look like he had notes. He just said what he felt. He didn't stutter, mumble, or say anything he didn't mean to say. I absolutely loved his lecture! First he spoke about how the black community was more of a community during segregation and they actually worked together. He stated that then they all understood the importance of Education also. They all knew that "Education equaled liberation." He said it is sad that education is declining as time goes by because they fought the fight for it to be easy for the young coming along.

He attended Howard University from 1960-1964. He told us that one of the most life changing events that took place in his life, and the life of everyother Howard student at the time, was the Fall of 1961. During that time Malcolm X came to campus to debate with another African American Male. Before Malcolm X came the campus was mainly conservative. Malcolm came and spoke about how being black at a University should not be taken for granted and you should always have power of mind. After he left student activism became major at Howard University, which eventually helped turned the tide in Civil Rights activism.

After Dr. Wright's lecture, I feel like he did what Malcolm X did for his generation for us. Well, he did a refresher. After his speech students protested the execution of Troy Davis and also protested the A building. His lecture was so genuine and refreshing! I really enjoyed it


Parker Gilkesson
@02660576
Group 19

Howard University Convocation 2011

The 2011 Convocation was really nice! I really enjoyed seeing many Howard Faculty and Staff dressed up. The speaker was Michael Lomax. who is the President of UNCF. He spoke about how UNCF is commited to doubling the number of Black graduates from college within the next decade, because he feels it would make a great difference. He also said that he wants to make sure that HBCU's are recognized and supported for all the things they do in the community and for their students. He explained how UNCF is working hard to get public funds to help more African Americans get to college and stay in college. He also talked about how we cannot lose anymore Black college and how Howard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. He made a joke earlier in his speech that if he went to Howard he may have became the Mayor of Atlanta like he wanted. I think his speech was great. I'm really excited to know that there is money out there for us students to have. We just have to go and get it!


Parker Gilkesson
@02660576
Group 19

Black At Howard University: Back in the Day

Mr.Richard Wright, an Alumni of Howard University Class of 1964, entered the lecture hall with an urge to speak about his experiences when he was a student. He began his speech mainly talking about the importance of education, especially if you are an African American. Mr.Wright said that during his early years, whites would look down on the fact that African Americans wanted to become educated. They would say things like, "You cannot be black and ignorant at the same time." To the whites, education was a weapon for blacks. However as time passed, Wright explained that education continued to decline for blacks with desegregation. But at Howard University, he was one of the many educated black men. Back then, Howard was considered boujee and there was a middle class arrogance that was on the campus around 1960. In the fall of 1961, Malcolm X and Bayard Rustin came to campus for a debate. Wright said he learned of the debate while in his Government class. Everyone attended the debate because it was a big deal for Malcolm X to be on campus. The debate was held in Cramtom Auditorium and the whole student body trickled in until the whole auditorium was full. Malcolm's main message to the students was: "The privilege that you have in being black and a university should be a privilege you cannot take for granted. Your primary purpose is not to join clubs, organizations, or mine, but to be the most powerful intellect you can. Your responsibility to bear the power of your mind in the liberation of your people. We need power of a young mind in the struggle today." The students heard this felt the need to take immediate action and become more involved. Wright stated that, "Howard had a role. It would be the students would lead. A legacy of student activism was launched during 1961. Howard created a major, if not the major student activism organization in the nation. They produced Stokely Carmichael. The students helped turn the rights of civil rights in America. They made a difference in the nation." Mr. Wright left in 1964, but the students continued to help with the activism. But in 1968, they decided that they needed a Black Studies Program and would not leave the 'A' building until it was created. Being a member of the administration, Wright said that the administration is more than likely to listen to students rather than listen to faculty. There is certain role that cannot be relinquished or passed onto anyone, and that is played by students. We must be activists and politically engaged. We are NOT free yet. Lastly, Mr.Wright questioned, "Where is the HU in the engagement of the issues in society today?" After hearing that, I began to think long and hard. There are so many young, talented, outspoken individuals on this campus and that is truly all you need to have an active and politically engaged student body. WE can make it happen. YES WE CAN!

Alexis Nicole Thrasher

@02661188

Group 19

"Something Torn and New"

This was not the first time that I had heard Dr. Mario Beatty give an amazing lecture. I was given the opportunity to listen to him speak in Dr.Carr's Intro to African American Studies class so some of the topics covered I had already heard before. In Dr. Beatty's lecture, the topic primarily covered was Abandonment and Dismemberment. The Dismemberment IS the Middle Passage, the making of African diaspora in the Americas. In the time period of 1492-1776, 6 1/2 million people were brought to the new world and 5 out of 6 people were African and only 1 million of them were white. In the process of explaining the Dismemberment, historical narratives were used. Historical narratives of: loss and emptiness, African continuity and collective synthesis and transformation, and newness that assembles and combines African and European traditions. Without narratives, it would be hard to remember all of the valuable history explaining the Dismemberment. A very important statement that Dr. Beatty made was that "If you lose everything you have, then you become culturally empty." When your empty, you are filled up with colonizers, mottos, values, and their ways of conceptualizing the world. You become brainwashed. Nowadays, the African culture continued in the Americas by storytelling, their religion is still practiced, singing different songs and hymns, and most importantly, family values.

Dr.Beatty discusses 4 out of the 6 conceptual questions in his lecture. 1) Social Structure: The creation and modeling of family patterns, social and political structure roles,traditions and rituals. For example, the prominent role of mother/king/chief.minister. 2) Ways of Knowing: Brazil-Candomble, Haiti and New Orleans-Vodun(spirits) of the Fon and Ewe of the Benin Republic, Cuba-Santeria, Us-reafricanized Christianity. For example, the cross resembles the Kongo cosmogram, water baptism, funerary rites,etc. 3) Science and Technology: Medicine men and women, Blacksmiths and Carpenters, Agricultural cultivation, and Musical instruments like banjoes,rattles, and drums. 4)Cultural Meaning Making: Music,Language, Literature, and Dance. Through these ways, Abandonment and Dismemberment were expressed and still are till this very day. It is "Something Torn and New".

Alexis Thrasher

@02661188

Freshman Seminar

Did We Abandon Africa?

The lecture this week detailed the abandonment of African culture during the African diaspora. The African diaspora played a large role in somewhat of a disconnect between Africans that remained in Africa and the ones that were taken to the New World. This brings upon the question of whether or not African culture was abandoned completely when Africans reached the New World. Dr. Beatty exposed us to various historical opinions that answered that very question. According to E. Franklin Frazier, the Africans that were brought to the New World, they lost all of their culture and were indoctrinated with the New World culture. However there is evidence that suggests that this is not the case. There are several things that show that African culture is still a very integral part of American culture. From music and the arts to mathematics and science, African culture has made significant contributions. I believe that African culture is a very relevant part of my heritage as well as many other African Americans. It is inspiring to see that such a wonderfully diverse culture has such an impact on people today.

The Dismemberment of a People

Throughout the entire lecture Dr. Beatty spoke about the dismemberment of African people as they were dispersed into different parts of the world by force. The middle passage caused a huge dismemberment because the middle passage was so long and traumatizing. After they were dispersed into the Americas they were expected to to take on the European culture. One of the main questions he asked was, "Do you think the African people experienced cultural emptiness." When he said cultural emptiness he meant, did the African people feel like they lost all of their culture and history once they came to the Americas? Dr. Beatty showed that their culture wasn't completely lost through the way that we as African-Americans speak now. When we speak, we tend not to use linking verbs. He explained that this was how the Ancient Egyptians spoke also. This shows that certain traditions were passed down from Africa to the Americas. Throughout the lecture he made many points that were familiar to me but he also made points that weren't. I did not know that the structure of our speech was passed down from African languages.

More Than a Game

Often people can get carried away when it comes to competition. This weekend however, Howard and Morehouse used this opportunity to educate and nurture the community by providing several enriching events besides the football game. I attended chapel service this Sunday and I definitely felt that this weekend was about "more than a game". Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, President of Morehouse College, delivered an excellent sermon that gave several life lessons that will stay with me forever. Dr. Franklin started off by reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. This scripture was powerful because it reassured us that every emotion has a season and as long as you trust in God, you will be fine. This certainly spoke to the mood of the day in general because of the fact that it is September 11th. Although it happened 10 years ago, it is still a very relevant event in our history. Dr. Franklin went on to call us to realize the greatness that is Howard and Morehouse as well as all HBCUs. It is important to realize that though we are struggling right now as a culture but we will make it through these difficulties. 

Omoluabi: Being a Person of Good Character in Your Community

This weeks' lecture was about using your character to be a positve influence in society. It built upon the previous weeks' lecture about the importance of black intellectualism. Dr. Gbadegesin first detailed the importance of realizing our roots and what we came from. He cleared up common misconceptions about ancient African cultures. Some historians would lead us to believe that Africans had no relavent culture or history until colonialism however we know that this is not true. One of the main points of the lecture was showing that African culture not only existed but it also was full of values and ethical codes through which they governed themselves. Hence, it is not possible that African culture and morality did not exist. The lecture also defined what omoluabi meant and why it was relevant to our expericence as young African Americans. Omoluabi represents a person of good character. It is improtant for young people like ourselves to excercise good character and surround ourselves with people of good character. It is also important to realize that our decisions affect more than just us as an individual so it is crucial that we make good decisions. We have an obligation to ourselves and our community as a whole. Personally, I believe that being an omoluabi is critical to everything I do. I do not believe that anyone can say that they made a useful contribution to society unless they have been a person of good character.  

Omoluabi. What does that mean?

Alexis Thrasher

@02661188

Group 19

September 11, 2011

What is the human condition? That is the first question that Dr. Segun Gbadegesin asked our Freshman Seminar class. However, the seminar research question is: How have scholars acrss the various fields of study advanced and transformed academic knowledge related to enduring problems of the human condition? He went on to discuss various points that had to relate to scholars and how they contribute to Omoluabi: self actualization and communal responsibility. Omoluabi is a person of character, disciplined, and self improving, thus earning the respect of peers and community on account of practical wisdom, putting knowledge accquired through education to the service of the community, and not shying away from personal sacrifices when needed. Another definition of Omoluabi is a child begotten of the chief of iwa. Iwa is existence or character and Orunmila's wife. Orunmila is the God of Wisdom. These characters all come from the Story of Iwa. Iwa marries Orunmila and as the relationship progresses, he began to beat her. Suuru, Iwa's father, did not like this happening at all. Iwa left Orunmila and at that point, Orunmila lost everything he had. Once you lose Iwa, you lose yourself. So then in desperation, Orunmila went to look for Iwa. From then on, Orunmila was simply out of luck. Another point that Dr.G made was that the relevance of the research question is to see how scholars, especially at Howard, have been transforming scholarship. There are three key points to the question: Knowledge, Wisdom, and Philosophy. Knowledge is the acquisition of factual information without insight into their supporting reasons. Wisdom is when a wise person is skilled in turning his or her humanly oriented knowledge to serve the process of human relations. And a philosopher is a wise person. All of these characteristics are key for a scholar. Both Dr.Carr and Dr. G are scholars in my eyes. They both had very important key points and issues to address to our class. They both made me want to listen and learn more. I cannot wait for the next guest speaker!

You should aim to be a Omoluabi

Parker Gilkesson

@02660576
Group 19

W 12:10pm-1:00pm

The speaker of this lecture was Segun Gbadegesin. To start off the lecture he spoke about Iijuba. Iijuba means homage. He said he paid homage to the creator and the created and many other things including the class of 2015! He some on multiple subjects, but there were 3 that stood out to me. He proposed a research question that stated "How have scholars across the various fields of study advanced and transformed academic knowledge related to enduring problems of the human condition?" What must you know in order to answer this question? He stated that you must have knowledge of those various human conditions, understand advancement and transformation, and also realize that there is only one race which is the human race. Further into the lecture he talked about another subject that shocked me. I was always raised knowing that the "Mother Land" had a wealth of history and knowledge, however, the speaker stated that other historians of other cultures thought differently. They said that Africa has no history. To show how this notion was incorrect he gave us examples of African equivalents to Jesus, Moses, Socrates and other Philosophers that existed way before Christ. He also showed us Africa's equivalent to the 10 commandments. One of the last points he went over was Omoluabi. An Omoluabi is a person who has great character and is disciplined. The speaker said that "Everyone wants to be told that they are a Omoluabi." I personally took from the statement that in Africa, to be an Omoluabi is to be a leader and an esteemed person in your community.

What Did I Learn From Dr.Carr's Lecture?

In the lecture given by Dr.Carr, he spoke about various topics and terms that we should know from African Culture. For example, he stated that "Human brilliance must be connected to African brilliance. Human excellence must be connected to African excellence. To be African is to be brilliant and excellence." I feel that Dr.Carr means that all Africans are human beings and we are just as smart as everyone else. He also speaks about Mbongi. When I first heard the word, I just thought it was simply another African term, but after hearing the definition I figured it meant so much more. Mbongi means "house with no walls" and is both a physical and intellectual space or common shelter. The other main important terms Dr.Carr listed were: Boko, to break or to cut, Yemba, to create a shelter in order to cover and protect, Lusanga, to mix or put together, and Kioto, to inhale. Each of these terms can be used in different contexts. Lastly, he covered a few simple terms: sedjem "listen", ma'at "truth", medew nefer "good speech", seba/sebayt "teach/teachings", sedi "educate", and medew iaw "staff of old age". In the end, African people are smart and can excel, however, they just speak their language when they educate not English. That is why they are not as accepted as white americans. Africans are just as smart if not more than they will ever be.

Alexis Nicole Thrasher

Group 19