Entry 4: How Is Generation X Going to Make A Difference Today?

In his presentation, “Civil Rights, Hip-Hop, and Hope: The Power of Young People”, Dr. Alton B. Pollard III compared and enlightened us on the impact of teenagers, in previous generations and our generation, in the black community. During the Civil Rights Movement, students at high schools and colleges were involved in fighting for equal rights, and as advocates of change they convinced there parents to join in the “fight”. The “radicals”, as many were labeled, participated in marches, sit-ins, etc, letting their message be known, “enough is enough.” Fighting freedom was considered a “communal responsibility.”

Martin Luther King stated that “nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.” As the decades processed, the young people used music, poetry, paintings, etc., to express their pain and struggles. In these urban neighborhood, namely in New York City, young adults used music and dance to refrain from being involved in gangs, violence, and drugs. The Hip-Hop movement produced lyrical artists such as, KRS One, Slick-Rick, 2Pac, Erykah Badu, Biggie, McLyte, Common, Lauryn Hill, etc.

Dr. Pollard reflected on all these past methods of change, but his question to us was “what is Generation X going to do to make a change in the Black community?” He expressed that the “fights of yesterday have transformed today” and we must find new nonviolent and influential ways to fight for social justice. We “must become the prayer we pray,” we cannot just sit around waiting for change to happen. Those teenagers participating in marches, riots, sit-ins were the same age we all are now, and many of them put their lives on the line to change our community to the way it is today. Are we ready to stand up for change?

Entry 3: “The Eloquence of the Scribes”: Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery—Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

In her presentation about “The Eloquence of Scribes” this week in Freshman Seminar, Dr. Benjamin gave brief biographies of many of the historical figures that our university and campus buildings are named after. She began the presentation with slideshows of information about ancient scribes: they were people who wrote books, kept track of rations on clay in Cuneiform 2350 BC, etc. There were even medieval scribes in the 15th century, like the European author Jean Mielot.

Dr. Benjamin then informed the crowd of the many historical figures who were involved in the initial phases of the university. As students, we enter these buildings and dorms everyday : Wheatley, Douglass, Locke, Carver, Cook, etc. but many of us were unaware of the stories behind the naming of the buildings. Howard University, originally the Howard Normal and Theological School for the Education of Teachers and Preachers, was founded in 1967 by US Officer and Union General Oliver Otis Howard who also served as head of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Gen. Howard served as president of the university from 1869 to 1874.

Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, a former pastor, founder of NAACP, and Professor of Economics and History at Morehouse College, was the first black president of Howard University, and he served as president from 1926 to 1960. During the course of Johnson’s presidency, enrollment increased by 8,000 students.

Many other historical figures were important to African –American history and the foundation of our campus, like Alain Leroy Locke, Charles Drew, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Ernest Just, George Washington Carver, Lulu Vere Childers, Prudence Crandall, Phyllis Wheatley, etc. Alain Locke was the first African-American Rhodes Scholar. He was also author of the survey graphic Harlem: Mecca of the New Negro which focused on “looking at our past and using those experiences to help paint the future.”

Entry 2: “Genome”—Uniqueness

When Dr. Georgia Dunston, Ph.D., the Director of Molecular Genetics and the Chair of the Department of Microbiology in the College of Medicine at Howard University, came to present to the freshman, she was unable to get to her slideshow but she did give a great presentation. She discussed the genome, and how this entity contains an organism’s hereditary information, which gives them their ‘uniqueness’. She expressed how the genomes within all of us make us different, individually, but that we are all still connected; we are a family connected by history. Yet we cannot solely define ourselves by our skin color; we represent culture, history, knowledge, struggle, freedom of speech, etc.

During her speech, Dr. Georgia M. Dunston stated that “we [this generation] are the answers to someone’s prayers”, because our ancestors struggled from slavery to the March on Washington to Board vs. Education, so that we could have equal rights in America and be attending schools and universities such as Howard University. She expressed to us that to find our own identity “we must first know where we’ve been, to know where we are going.” We must revisit our history, look at the progress our ancestors made, and we must have hope that we can make similar, if not better, advancements in society, if we all work together in the future and not tear other blacks down when they are succeeding. We need to find our purpose: our reason to be, and with the knowledge of our history, we should be able to create our own story.

Entry 1: “Learning, Wisdom, and The African World Experience”

Our first presentation in Freshman Seminar was given by Dr. Greg Carr, a professor in African American Studies and Chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University. He spoke about his journey to Africa, and the beauty of the hieroglyphics he witnessed. Ancient Afrikaans hieroglyphics are evidence that even before blacks arrived to the New World, they believed learning was important. Dr. Carr stated that the symbol for speech was “mew.” He informed our freshman class that the terms ‘speech’ and ‘beauty’ were considered concurrently, because the Afrikaans’ hieroglyphic for beautiful was almost identical to their hieroglyphic for speech. Afrikaans believed speech and wisdom were the most beautiful gifts or qualities a human could possess. They promoted learning and teaching amongst the children. We are seeing in our society now, in 2010, that this desire to continue learning has deteriorated within our children.

Reading and freedom of speech, two of the many rights that blacks were fighting to have our fifty years ago, yet young people today are not taking advantage of this opportunity to further their education; their ancestors were murdered and mutilated for trying to read and write. We look at all these experiences in the African –American history where we were not able to attend schools, and how individuals such as Ruby Bridges, the Little Rock 9, Thurgood Marshall, etc. were figures who helped African-Americans gain the right to attend schools with white children. So, why are African-American children taking advantage of this liberty, and often suppressing the advancements of others around them?

Civil Rights, Hip-Hop and Hope: The Power of Young People

Jazzmin Tennessee
Post 4

Dr. Alton B. Pollard III had such a great presentation I was entertained the whole time. Dr. Pollard’s presentation kept my attention I believe because it was something that I was interested in. Staring with the beginning during the civil rights movements; the sit in’s, the protest and all the influential people involved and how it all starts with our youth, the young people. He talked about how change starts in the hands of the young people that the youth has the power, hence the title of his power point “The Power of Young People.” Dr. Pollard’s presentation had an affect on me because he didn’t just talk about how these people bought about change; he invited us in to see if we knew about their impact. I think that the people from Dr. Pollard’s presentation have all influenced our nation in one way or another; whether it was through protest and speeches, or black power movements, to art, poetry and music; they all paved the way for the youth of today to make even bigger change in not just this country but around the world. I really appreciate that he gave us more than just your normal it’s your time to change the world speech; he showed us that it’s possible. So as a member of the Class of 2014 I believe we are the change and our time has come. 

"Power of Young People"

 Ayana Boudreaux 
 Post 4
 27 September 2010 

To begin I want to say that a power point of iconic African American is not an effective presentation unless words of reasoning are applied. It was not until Dr. Alton Pollard, III began to explain his reason for the images on the slide, that I became interested in the topic of discussion. However, from time to time I lost focus on the essential message because Dr. Alton Pollard, III would not cover most things in dept as he had done with other topics. Besides these few things I felt that the topic on Power of Young People was great.

From shackles to the white house, the African American culture has grown tremendously. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line the “X generation” or so they call us, has changed in ways that have not been accepted by our elders. What has not been seen by many is that the young people have been a great aspect to the African American movement. Dr. Alton Pollard, III presentation on the Power of Young People should us the ways in which young people have helped to gain freedom. Through his words he told us, the class of 2014, that it is our turn to make a change because without us the heritage that was created from blood, sweat, death, and tears means nothing. Dr. Alton Pollard, III said to us, “The blood that unites us is thicker than the water that divides us,” so basically the change comes from within us if we work together with our culture.

The Eloquence of the Scribes: Initiation, Expectations and Mastery – Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

Jazzmin Tennessee
Post 3

Let me just say that I really enjoyed Dr. Benjamin’s presentation. It was a very informative piece to me, because I never knew the story behind some of the people most of the buildings were named after or the buildings themselves, on Howard’s campus. Her whole presentation was so informative on the history and legacy of the generations of influential people of Howard University.  Dr. Benjamin’s presentation; beginning with Gen. Oliver Otis Howard himself, bringing us through a journey of educational and social impacts, showing us the history and the memories of the Howard name. This presentation made me want to learn more. I left the Just Hall auditorium more proud than ever before to say that I attend Howard University. Leaving the Ernest Everett Just Hall Auditorium I had a new knowledge of the names I look at each and every day. Living in Crandall Hall I always wondered who exactly Prudence Crandall was; and through Dr. Benjamin’s presentation I learned and now I understand her importance. Overall Dr. Benjamin’s presentation left me wanting more, wanting to be more involved more knowledgeable; and I cannot think of anything better . Even starting with the scribes of Egypt, the ancient scribes, the medieval scribe, and ending with the scribes that paved the way for Howard University to be what it is today.

 A wonderful presentation.

Dr. Pollard- Post 4

Chrissy Purcell

Freshmen Seminar

Wednesday

Post 4

Dr. Pollard’s Presentation

This presentation was not very  informational. Dr. Pollard’s data was well organized and was, also, presented decently. I would have to say he was the best presenter we have had since Dr. Carr presented during our first week. However, I do believe he had a bit of a tendency to go off on tangents. This was not helpful because with so many students in one class it can not be afforded that the orator lose focus for even a minute.  Also, I feel as though there was quite a bit of unnecessary name dropping for no apparent reason. In that I mean, the name dropping added nothing my store of knowledge. Even though, I wish it had. 

I do not wish to bash the speaker for each week; however, I feel as though that none of the orators we have had following Dr. Carr has had the presence or rhetorical use of language to command the room in a manner that would be beneficial to        all of us. I wish I had more to say about Dr. Pollard and the other speaker in a more positive light. I can admit that I do appreciate that Dr. Pollard took the initiative to play a video that he felt related to the problems and mentality of our generation. It shows that he respects that some aspect of our popular culture does deal with valid social issues. In conclusion, all that I can ask is that the powers that be reconsider the way freshman seminar is conducted so that it might better benefit students as opposed to the egos of the lecturers. 

Dr. Benjamin- Post 3

Chrissy Purcell

Freshman Seminar

Wednesday

Post 3

Dr. Benjamin’s Presentation

This lecture, while informative, was a dry, bland presentation. I was hoping for a class that was rich. Instead, all I got was a lecture about the people the buildings at Howard are named after. It did serve its purpose as an informative piece; however, I am still clueless as to how this lecture is related or interconnected with “The Eloquence of the Scribes.” Furthermore, while Dr. Benjamin did explain what a scribe is, I feel a bit confused about on idea of the power of beautiful language and voicing one’s self properly in the African and African American culture and how this relates to her naming of the names of the buildings. 

The things she explained seemed a bit rudimentary (who Howard University is named after, who the College of Arts and Sciences is named, etc.). I wish that our lectures worried more about equipping us socially, mentally, and spiritually for Howard University instead of who the buildings are named after. Subjects like talking professionally to professors, improving study habits, maturation and taking responsibility, and others make for a much more beneficial set of lectures than the ones we have had thus far, excluding Dr. Carr’s. Though I can not refute the validity of knowing the historic backgrounds of our new community as bringing the class of 2014 together, I can and do argue that there are more urgent and pressing issues at hand. With that being said, I can only hope that the upcoming lectures will be more in tune to the needs of the student body, instead of what the teacher feels is important.

The Eloquence of the Scribes

Ayana Boudreaux
Post # 3

Allow me to start off by saying that Dr. Benjamin’s lecture was by far my favorite. It was very informative and it helped me better understand the foundation of which Howard University is constructed upon. Focused the entire time on her words, I became more interested in Howard University’s history. As I listened to her words I scribbled down important point of which I intended to research.  I was unaware of the multiplicity of African American scholars for whom these very buildings are named, but Dr. Benjamin provided me with much insight. The lecture began from the very core of Howard University, Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, and then took us through an educational ride of the campus structures as well as the Alpha Chapter of the Divine Nine.

When I was asked what college I would be attending, I would hold my head up and exclaim proudly “I will be attending Howard University.” I must admit, at that time, I was not fully aware of the level of greatness that Howard possessed. This is until I attended the Freshman Seminar lecture on September 15, 2010 given by Dr. Tritobia H. Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin’s lecture entitled “The Eloquence of the Scribes,” focused on the Mecca and how it has become the institution it is today. The main purpose was to speak to the class of 2014 about our initiation into the Mecca and living up to the expectation of the Howard Legacy. As a result I have learned that there is much that I need to prove here.

Abandonment, Dismemberment and Reawakening: The History and Legacy of Howard

Jazzmin Tennessee
Post 2

I would first like to say that as interesting as the history of the genome seems, I wish that we could have gotten more out of Dr.Dunston. Her presentation wasn't what I was expecting I thought that I would learn a lot more about the genomes than I did, and how it affects and helps us develop into the people we are. Also, Dr.Dunston is a greatly respected and achieved woman, but during this presentation it really wasn't clear what she was trying to get across to us.
I was also hoping to get to the actual presentation, when I went back and looked at her power point I learned more than I did during the class session. In the power point is the statement,

"Genome-based knowledge is challenging current concepts of  health, life, and human identity, and in the process informing and facilitating human transformation."

The power point also discusses The National Human Genome Center (NHGC) at Howard University, something that I would have personally liked to learn more about during the class discussion.178The power point also discusses the Paradigm Shift which discusses:
Medical      vs      Biology
Disorder             Order/Process
What's Wrong    What's Right
Isolated Parts     Integrated Systems
Disease              Health
Death and dying  Life and living
To me this was kind of like a chart of right and wrong/good and bad, this would have been another very interesting topic to me. With that being said I wish I learned more from and understood more of Dr.Dunston's presentation.

Learning, Wisdom, and the African World Experience!

Ayana Boudreaux

First, I would like to begin by saying, WOW! Dr. Carr can only be described as energetic and vibrant; his lesson spoke to me in ways that I could not imagine. I liked the fact that Dr. Carr made sure that every eye in the room was focused on him and that everyone’s ears were open.  All though he spoke quickly to make sure that he could get his point across in the limited time, I was still able to obtain the message in which he was conveying.  However, from prior involvement in church, I was aware of some of the things spoken about within the lecture. As a result of my prior knowledge, the lecture came off as more of a refreshments course.  

Dr. Carr’s lecture was based upon the wisdom, learning, and the African world experiences. He spoke of the Sankofa symbol, which is a bird with its head and neck turned in the opposite direction from its body. This adinkra symbol, originating from West Africa, means “go [and] get it.”  Now the things that most interested me were the pathways of Djehuty and Seshat. All our lives we have been told so many lies and to find out that academics/education was actually of the African proves to me even more that my people are great and if it had not been for them, America would not be the building block it is today. Through HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] like Howard, Spellman, Morehouse, Xavier University of Louisiana, and etc. the intellectual works and magnificent abilities of the African people continue to blossom.

Learning, Wisdom and the African Experience: An Mbongi

Jazzmin Tennessee

Post 1

First off I would just like to say that i absolutely love Dr.Carr's presentations. Dr.Carr was the energy that I needed for that day.

This presentation taught me about not just the roots that began in Africa, but also the the ones that were planted here in America. Something that I always wanted to do was learn some of the African language, I have always been interested in learning more about the African culture; and this presentation made me even more interested in the subject. The thing that stood out to me the most was when Dr.Carr spoke about Djehuty  a scribe the creator of alphabets, and Seshet the creator of the number system. Learning about how the people of Africa had such an impact of our world and society today makes me want to dig deeper and learn more. I encourage everyone to take time to learn more about the roots and importance of the role of Africa, the impact and the affect that the people had and still have this day. I also encourage everyone to sit in on one of  Dr.Carr's presentations or in one of his classes because his passion for the history of the African and African American culture makes you want to learn more about it; all in all this class session was my favorite so far.

The Human Genome

 Ayana Boudreaux

First, I want to say that the actions of the human genome seem very interesting, but Dr. Dunston method of teaching did not make show the genome’s greatness. She was so wrapped up in the excitement of the theory itself that she could not convey her message to us the way in which she intended. In my opinion this was by far the worst lecture I have ever received. By these words I mean no harm or disrespect; however I must speak the truth. I believe that Dr. Dunston is a great woman/achiever, but once you have reached that level of success you must be able to tell others the stories in which you have studied clearly.

Now all though I did get much out of the lecture, I did however find it very interesting that Howard University has its own gene research lab. From the works of the individuals involved in that lab there have come great things such as the findings and taking care of the African remains found in New York. Many of the students and staff of Howard University word tiresomely to make sure that the remains were properly respected. As a resolute of their efforts a memorial stands on the site where the bones were discovered.

Finally, I do believe in the genome theory and the role it has played within the history of the African American race. I just wish that Dr.Dunston would have been able to explain it to the class better.

Dr. Duston- Post 2

Chrissy Purcell

Freshmen Seminar

Wednesday

Post 2

Dr. Dunston

First, I would like to say that while I do not wish to disrespect Dr. Dunston, her teaching methods, or the material she presented. Secondly, I would like to say that her lectures was one of the least captivating that I have ever been to. I really wish that I could have gotten a more enriching experience from this lecture. I do not blame Dr. Dunston; I believe that this problem has more to do with the size of the class. The large class sizes do not allow the students to become involved enough in the class. This poses another problem; it becomes very hard for me to become enveloped in the topic that is being discussed. 

Now that that topic has been addressed, I want to talk about genomes. I found it very interesting that Howard University has its own gene research lab. It allows scientists to research the differences and similarities between African-American genomes and African genomes. I wish that the lecture had not been as crowded as it was. Perhaps if it were not, I would have gotten a bit more from this one. I had to sit on the floor due to overcrowding from the cancelled Labor Day class. That contributed to me not having a lot to say about this lecture or lecturer. However, I greatly appreciate the efforts put forth by Dr. Dunston and the Freshman seminar teaching staff to try and impart some knowledge on us. 

Dr. Carr- Post 1

Chrissy Purcell

Freshman Seminar

Wednesday 

Post 1

Dr. Carr’s Presentation

Dr. Carr gave us an amazing presentation, so much so that I attended this lecture twice.  Dr. Carr was an energizing breath of fresh air; he held a clear and concise voice in all of his points. As any good speech should be, Dr. Carr’s way of speaking was greatly captivating. It made me want to listen, learn, and use the knowledge he gave me to enhance and advance my community and my life.

The things that stuck me the most, in my opinion, were the cacophonous African words Dr. Carr taught us. I personally am not too fond of the African languages; however, after Dr. Carr’s presentation I can honestly say that I am now quite fond of all of the terms that we discussed. In his teachings about how slavery was just black peoples turn on bottom because we had for so many years had been on top. Africans were the rulers and teachers of the world for so long, which is something I never really thought about. Also, this concept is something I find great solace and comfort. Dr. Carr’s lecture has helped me develop a new point of view. Furthermore, he removed me from some of the stigmas I associated with African people and African ways. Now, I am more accepting of a part of me I was not formerly comfortable with. Overall, attending any of Dr. Carr’s lectures is highly recommended I thoroughly enjoyed myself.