This week’s lecture, given by Dr. Alvin Thornton was titled “The Eloquence of the Scribes: Initiation, Expectation and Mastery – Continuing the Legacy of Howard University”. He focused on the importance of redefining citizenship, liberty, and happiness; if we do not try to renew these ideas, they will be defined and determined for us. In order to define these things, we need to use our education and awareness of the world around us. Dr. Thornton also put emphasis on the fact that we need to ask and debate the “great questions” of our day and our generation. We need to start having discussions about public education, jobs and income, war and peace. By learning about our history, we will be able to find solutions and answers to bigger questions; we can use who were to find out whom we are to then figure out who we need to be in the future. We must be “empowered by the past to help us today and in the future” as Dr. Thornton stated.
In order for me to become the best of brightest of Howard University, I will “refuse to live beneath my potential”, as Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr. stated in today’s chapel sermon. I will work as hard as I can in my classes, and then continue to work harder. I think this idea is important in being a “citizen” of this nation, especially during these hard times. If everyone decided to settle for just enough, we would not get anywhere, in the national and global market. If we all strive to be better than the best we can be and if we learn past our full capacity, we will be able to change this country and this world.
Figures like Toni Morrison and Thurgood Marshall inspire me to become even greater at the things I know and to continue to further my education so I can inspire people like they did. I think learning more about those that have graduated from Howard University will help me figure out exactly what I want to do with my future and will help me further define my citizenship in this nation and in the world.
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