Redefining My Citizenship

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.

Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

Dr. Thorton's lecture touched on a few things previously mentioned in other lectures. Self-actualization is a term that I hear every week in Freshman Seminar. I realize that we as freshmen are being called to action. We have been given a privilege to be here, and we have to make the most of it. We are called to self-actualize in order to, as Dr. Thorton put it, "enrich the constitutional discourse".

A citizen of the world is someone who is a member of society. A citizen must contribute to the society around them. This may either be a contribution of ideas, services, leadership, or technology. A citizen of the world is first a citizen of his or her own nation. World citizenship comes when an individual decides to reach out and enrich the rest of the world.

One person who demonstrated such characteristics was Louis C. Cramton. Cramton was a Michigan congressman who increased support for Howard University. In addition, he was also an advocate for the national park system and for fair employment practices. Cramton serviced the society around him and enriched the world through his efforts. What Cramton did for Howard should inspire all freshmen, including myself, to step out of our comfort zones and work towards changing the face of our university for the better.

Any student who comes to Howard should want to be a part of the university's "best and brightest". For me, this means to be involved in campus activities and show interest in the university's programs and organizations. Also, to be the best and brightest, you have to be a true representative of Howard. You have to be a world citizen and demonstrate self and cultural awareness. In addition to these things, you must remember to honor Howard no matter where you go after you leave, because it will always be a part of who you are.

African Burial Ground

While preparing to build a building, in Lower Manhattan, a group of construction workers found bones in the ground. These were the bones of slaves, Slaves from the 17^th and 18^th century. Long ago this once was the sacred burial ground of freed and non-free slaves.

Dr. Mark E Mack presented this lecture topic to us, He first began to tell us, upon the discovery of these bones, the government tried to keep it a secret. However, someone on the inside began to inform Black news stations, magazines and papers. Once word got out, people started to rally to cease construction of the new building. The students and workers from Howard University took upon the task of unearthing the remains of the slaves. They uncovered over 400 skeletal remains

While excavating at the sight, they learned that the African slaves kept their burial traditions they had when  they were in Africa, some were buried with jewelry, head and body wraps, and some were even buries with their children. Now the site is now a museum dedicated to the lives of who once were buried there.

All Students are Equal

I had the opportunity to attend Howard University’s 144^th Opening Convocation this week – and I must say that I was surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. I think the enjoyment had a lot to do with the speaker Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of United Negro College Fund.

He opened his speech with the point that it has been asked if the country still needs historically black colleges and universities. Dr. Lomax responded with a resounding “yes, we do!”. He discussed the importance on the UNCF and the significance of the education that HBCUs have been providing African American students for years. The students that have been to college – more specifically, historically black ones – are more likely to earn further educational degrees and opportunities – they are encouraged to further their learning. The fact that only eight percent of black college graduates and only sixteen percent without degrees can obtain jobs proves that race in this country still matters, which is why the UNCF is so important.

The idea of letting all students, no matter what their race, religion, or sexual orientation, have the opportunity to attend college is not only President Obama’s goal, but also UNCF’s goal; it has been the aspiration of the organization for over seven decades to highlight the point that all students are equal. Dr. Lomax made the very intriguing point that colleges are too focused on what they used to do and not focused enough on what they need to do to further their students’ success; upholding tradition and integrity is more important than taking care of the students and the generation that will become the country’s future. It should be emphasized that students are in fact “customers that can take their business elsewhere”, in the words of Dr. Lomax.

Even more important is the fact that those who graduated from HBCUs should be giving back more than they have been; it is their job as people who graduated from these great colleges and universities to encourage the younger generations to continue to learn and further their education so that they can have successful lives. After attending the Opening Convocation, I officially feel as though I am part of the Howard University community. Feeling like a part of this community encourages me even more to make a difference in my life and in the lives of those around me.

The New York African Burial Ground

The New York African Burial Ground so far has yielded a little over 400 skeletal remains, with thousands more yet to be unearthed. The bones are those of Africans who lived around the region during during the 17th century. Those who came to research and analyze the remains could learn much about what they meant and the conditions the Africans lived in. Things such as origins, physical quality of life, biological and cultural transformation, and modes of resistance were determined just by examining the bones.

One of the things observed about the bodies were tell-tale signs of slavery. Broken bones and things of that nature could easily be explained as resistance or torture at the hands of slave owners. Also, rites of passage and points of origin could be observed by looking at the skeletons. One rite of passage among the Africans was the shaving of teeth, and dental patterns were preserved over the span of hundreds of years.

The monument is a stepping stone towards learning more about our history. It is amazing that such a discovery was made and that so much information can be derived from the remains of people who lived hundreds of years ago. It would be a powerful moment to visit the burial site of my ancestors. I believe Howard University was chosen to take part in the excavation and research of the Burial Ground because of the high quality of work that the university consistently yields. Howard is known for using its knowledge of the past to serve the Black community. It makes me proud to be a student here and it also makes me wish I could have been a part of the research process.

The 144th Opening Convocation

It was an honor to be a part of the Howard University 144th Opening Convocation. Dr. Lomax's address was empowering and very thought-provoking. He spoke on the need for HBCUs and the need for people to give back and preserve our institutions. It was inspirational and shed a new light on the condition of young Black students and education in America.

Dr. Lomax began with the question of whether there is still a need for HBCUs. The answer to this, of course, is yes. As he stated, HBCUs do more for the education of Blacks than other institutions of higher learning. No one cares about the education of Black youth more than Black people. HBCUs are needed to give young African Americans an opportunity to succeed in this world. Also, Dr. Lomax stated that we live in a society that rewards those with an education and punishes those without. Unfortunately, a majority of our young Black men do not make it to colleges and universities. There is a higher percentage of women than men in HBCUs. We must keep them around to give young Black men a place to try and better themselves.

Another point made by Dr. Lomax was the lack of alumni giving back to Howard University and Black colleges as a whole. Only 11% of Howard Alum give back to the institution. The lack of people giving back is a problem at every Black college in America. It threatens the longevity of our institutions and creates a need for competition amongst Black schools. Not only are they competing against white schools for students, donors, and esteem, but now they must also compete with one another instead of coming together. Students and Alumni must accept a collective responsibility for transforming and saving our institutions, especially when there is a change we would desire to see in our schools.

Dr. Lomax stated in the end that great universities cannot be complacent. They must have a discomfort that propels them forward to consistently better themselves. I feel that anyone who heard his address and even those who did not have a charge over them to do more for HBCUs. If we really wish to preserve them and what they stand for, we have to stand behind them like they stand behind us.

Works Cited

Lomax, Michael. "The Convocation Address". Howard University, Washington, D.C. 23 September 2011.

The Howard University Opening Convocation

The 144th Howard University Opening Convocation ceremony held this past Friday was a very welcoming experience as a freshman at Howard University. Every speaker who stepped up to the microphone greeted the Class of 2015 with enthusiasm.  I was most excited about the speaker Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). He is a powerful speaker who orated perfectly on the place of black colleges in the USA.

Dr. Lomax answered the question of whether or not we still need Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) today. He said that we do need HBCUs because black colleges continue to outperform giving higher degrees to African American citizens. He also said that HBCU students are more likely to be civically engaged and view themselves as leaders.

He spoke of needing more black men in college. Only 30-35% of HBCU’s are made up of men, he said. Black and Latino men have been the muscle and not the brain behind this country for too long. The UNFC’s goal is to help African Americans realize their dreams of a college education.

                He said that universities compete for the smartest students and black students can go to any college the so chose, but we want them to come to an HBCU. Therefore, Dr. Lomax advised colleges to take care of their students because “students are customers who can take their business elsewhere.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the speaker and agreed with many of the points he made. I also really enjoyed seeing such a full auditorium of educated black people both students and alumna.

Works Cited

Lomax, Michael. “The Convocation Address.” Howard University, Washington, D.C. 23 September 2011.