DR. WILLIAMS

This week Dr. Dana Williams helped us to recap all of the lessons in the freshman seminar class that we went over.In addition to the the summary of the freshman seminar periods, Dr. Dana Williams also spoke up how to research our topics for our group presentations. When she gave us some examples this made me think very hard about what i wanted to write about and tell my group. She gave us examples of how we should present it like divisions of the speeches since they have to be ten minute presentations with each group and the type of information that should be involved. She also spoke about the types behavior of the freshman seminar student should always display. Our group took several tips to include in my research project from Dr. Dana A. Williams. This lecture is very helpful because it let me organize myself and get everything down so I know what i have to do to finish up this class on a good note.

African Burial Ground

Traveling to the African burial ground was truly a great experience. There is so much history and legacy behind the African burial ground. Just standing near the mounds, a feeling of happiness and sadness came over me. Walking through the doors of return was an eye opener. I also enjoyed learning about the many culture symbols that predates the bible. These symbols, that were the first written language before most civilizations, represented love, trust, family, faith and protection. Watching the movie about the finding of the African bones to the celebration of finally letting them rest in peace gave me a sense of injustice and the power of community. It educated me on how these Africans buried their dead and their celebration of the life that was lost in which is still done today. I think it took real courage and dedication on those in New York to fight against those who showed no respect for the dead. I enjoyed watching the video of the court cases where many prominent politicians spoke against the building of infrastructure over a grave site. I loved the way they went from city to city, having their own celebration for each lost life. They walked, danced, and sang through the streets to show those who had no respect for the dead that this burial site is important to the African American community and the USA.

Dr. Williams

Dr. Williams gave the class a lecture this week. The lecture was a summary of all freshman seminar class from the beginning to the end. Along with the summary of the freshman seminar classes, she also spoke up how to research our topics for our group presentations. She gave us examples of how we should present it and the type of information that should be involved. She also spoke about the conduct of the freshman seminar student. I took several tips to include in my research project from Dr. Williams. I do feel that this is the most helpful of all lectures being that it actually focuses on something we have to do for the class.

Dr. Williams lecture

Dr. Williams lecture in class this past week was basically a review of all of the lectures that have been given in the past few weeks. She went over the lecture given by Dr.Carr(Learning, Wisdom, and the African World Experience: An Mbongi), Dr.Dunston(The Human Genome), Dr.Benjamin(Eloquence of the Scribes), Dr.Cain Hope Felder(freedom and justice),and Dr. Segun Gbadegesin(Omoluabi: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility). She also went over the group project(e-portfolio) and clarified the procedure in which we will follow to complete the project. Her lecture was more review than anything else but it was valuable still

African Burial Ground

This past weekend I went on the trip to the African Burial Ground in New York, and I learned a lot about the events that took place when the remains of the Burial Ground were discovered. I was amazed at how the community took a stand against the city leaders who were trying to build over this historical discovery; their plans to build an office building over the forgotten burial ground showed their complete disrespect for African American history. I was also proud to learn that Howard University took an active role in preserving the ancient bodies of our ancestors found at the site of African Burial Ground. When they mentioned that the bones were on display in Douglass Hall for three years, I was impressed by the interest the students took in the matter. Howard's involvement in the affair was inspiring and make me proud to be a student of Howard University.

Dr. William's Lecture

Tamika

During this weeks lecture Dr. Williams spoke about research and methodology. Dr. William’s lecture focused on how our research project should be constructed, and what should be expected as a freshman seminar student. Before Dr. William’s lecture I was expecting to hear a lecture about another important aspect of Howard University. I found Dr. William’s lecture on research to be very interesting. I was able to take some pointers to use towards my research project. As a freshman, I felt like this course was very intriguing. I feel like freshman seminar classes are “starter courses” for all freshmen, and should be required for all Howard University students.

African Burial Ground Trip

Tamika Philip

This past Saturday the Freshman Seminar class visited the African Burial Ground in New York. I was very excited to finally return back home. Although I am from New York, I never knew about the African Burial Ground, which is only about forty-five minutes away from my home. When we arrived to the site one of the workers gave us a brief history on the burial ground. Following the info session, Dr. Carr then led a Libation at the African Burial Ground. The Libation was very inspirational and emotional. I was very impressed with Dr. Carr’s knowledge on the history of the African Burial site. At one point I was starting to believe that Dr. Carr knew more about the burial site than the actual worker. When we arrived inside the building, I was able to go around to the different stations to gain more information on the burial ground. I also got the opportunity to see a video on the history of the African Burial Ground. Perhaps one day I will be able to trace back my ancestors to Africa.

New York City

My trip to the African Burial grounds in New York city was a very moving experience. I found it sad that I am from New York City and had never been to the site. So when I found out we were going i was very excited to go. The burial grounds are in Manhattan and we arrived around 11 in the morning. The first thing we did was go t the actual place where some of the African people were buried. Dr. Carr introduced us to a ritual that allowed us to pay homage to our fallen ancestors that were forced to live horrible lives of slavery. Every time we acknowledged their plight and struggles we poured water on the burial ground. In addition to that we said a Nigerian word "ashe". This made everything so much more deeper when we were walking around looking at all different signs of religions that the slave brought from their native countries. When we walked in the museum part of the trip we were shown a video of the lives of a certain slave family and all the strife that the family went through. Then we we were able to look around the museum and look at the bones that were discovered and look at the characteristics that some of the slaves had. We then headed out to Harlem at the Apollo theatre where we let out and allowed to roam around New York City. This trip helped me realize the struggle that my ancestors went thru and that i should appreciate my freedom.

Lectures for weeks 2-4

Dr. Georgia M. Dunston's Lecture

On the week of September 8th, Dr. Georgia M. Dunston was scheduled to give a lecture on the topic, "Abandonment, Dismemberment and and Reawakening: The History and Legacy." She instead enlightened the class with information about the Human Genome. She gave facts like, " Each of us is unique... our genomes have unique sequences. Even identical twins have differing genome..." Although the lecture was insightful, I was confused throughout because looking at the title of the lecture and then listening to the lecture, the title and information did not match. This made it hard to consentrate. I just kept looking for the lecture to began. Overall, the information wasn't difficult to understand, it was simple biological information that many students learn in high school level biology. I do, however, wish I could have heard the lecture that was actually scheduled for that class period. 

Dr. Benjamin's Lecture
On the week of September 15th, Dr. Benjamin gave a lecture entitiled, The Eloquence of the scribes: Initiation, Expectations and Mastery- Continuing the Legacy of Howard University." the lecture began with he history of the scribes/ writing. The Scribes were first prevalent in Egypt. Scribes wrote books, about art, specific activities, and other observations. At that time the language was Cuniform.  Scrolls were lost after printing and movable type were invented.  From there, we were into the great scribes that created  the history/"legacy" of Howard University and effected history in general. Those people included, General Oliver Otis Howard, the founder of Howard University, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson (Administration building), Inabel Burns Lindsay (first dean of social work), Albert I. Cassell (Architecture Building), Jesse Moorland and Author Spingarn (Moorland-Spingarn Research center), Alaine Leroy Locke (Locke Hall), LuLu Vere Childers (Childers Hall),  Fredrick Douglass ()Douglass Hall), Zora Neale Hurston (The Hilltop), Ira Aldridge, Louis C. Cramton (Cramton Auditorium), Harriet Tubman (Tubman Quadrangle Dormatory), Sojourner Truth (Truth Hall),l Prudence Crandall (Crandall Hall), Phillis Wheatley (Wheatley Hall), Lucy Diggs Slowe (Slowe Hall), Mary McLead Bethune Annex (The Annex Dormatory), Charles R. Drew (Drew Hall), George Washington Carver (Carver Hall), Ernest Everett Just (Just Hall)... We were not able to finish all of the persons after which the buildings on campus are named after. I found the lecture very important, because i personally did not know the reason behind the naming of all the most of the buildings on campus. Also, I believe that it is always good to know more history about our people. I refuse to surcome to miseduation without a fight.

Dr. Caine O. Felder Lecture

The week of September 20th, Dr. Caine O. Felder gave a lecture entitled, "Practices of freedom and Justice". Throughout the lecture, one of the things that stood out the most, was the quote, "In time, all that is hidden will come to light." That, to me, has everything to do with justice.  In the lecture, justice was defined as "the right relationship of fairness and balance" and I think everything coming to light is justice, when the truth can be seen and as just that, the truth. Freedom, the other main topic of the lecture, was defined as "an individual's or group's inalienable right to exercise choices, good or bad, in an unfiltered way." An example given aboutk freedom and the freedom to choose was the Holy Bible's famous story of Adam and Eve. Overall, I think the lecture was fairly effective, I wasn't sure of some of the example or references that were made, so I wasn't able to appreciate the 100%, but I definitely appreciated what I did understand and I learned quite a bit as well.

Dr. Segun Gbadegesin

This week Dr. Segun Gbadegesin gave a intersesting lecture on Omoluabi: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility. He spoke on the neccesity of being a productive and positive member of the community. He educated us on how throughout history being a productive member of your community was required in some cultures. For example, the egyptians were required by one of their gods, Maat, to follow these strict principles: dont commit sin, dont commit robbery with violence, do not steal, dont seduce anyone's wife, dont close your ears to the truth, etc. These are only a few of the principles they were required to live by; all of these principles were meant to promote Truth, Justice, Order, Balance, and Harmony. They also had proverbs given to them by Ptahhotep: "A man of character of wealth" and "If you are man who leads and controls the affairs of the many, seek out every beneficient deed, that your conduct may be blameless great is justice, lasting in effect unchallenged since the time of Osiris." He also defined the word "Omoluabi", "a child begotten of the chief of iwa". He also explained that a more in depth definition would be, "a person of character, disciplined, self-improving, thus earning the respect of peers and community on account of practical wisdom in putting knowledge acquired through education to the service of the community, and not shying away from personal sacrifices when needed". Dr. Gbadegesin's lecture was very informational and enlighting.

Dr. Cain Hope Felder's Lecture

This week, the lecture was given by Dr. Cain Hope Felder of the School of Divinity. His lecture was focused on freedom and justice and the fact that throughout history most conflicts were over a group of people fighting for the freedom denied to them. Dr. Felder also mentioned that we are "free to be responsible". Dr. Felder talked about the fact that as African Americans we were not apart of the plans for freedom and justice when the builders of the United States were putting together the constitution. He mentioned that when the constitution was written we were only considered 3/5 of a person, therefore we were not originally guaranteed justice. For example, Slaves never got justice of any kind or any form, and for a long time even after slavery was abolished African Americans still didn't get justice. Even now after the major strides the civil rights movement made, our people are still the largest part of the population in the prison system. After hearing the lecture given by Dr. Felder, I realize that freedom is supposed to be a right but is instead a privilege in today's society.

Dr. Segun Gbadegesin

Tamika Philip

This week we had the pleasure to be lectured by Dr. Segun Gbadegesin. The topic of his lecture was Omoluabi: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility. Omoluabi is the essence of the human person, a wellspring of good character, exemplified by an understanding of the self and its responsibilities to the community. Dr. Segun’s lecture was based on morals. He spoke about Iwa, a women married to Orunmila, God of Wisdom. Iwa is the responsibility to self and to the community. Iwa states,” that good character is beauty, the essence of religion, and the greatest talisman.” Iwa as existence, responsible to the self, and remake self through education. Dr. Gbadegesin, stated that everyone takes a destiny, and that you lose your character and you lose yourself…you lose your character you lose your wealth. He also stated that one must serve their community with education. Education is the purpose to transmit from one generation to the next the accumulated wisdom, and knowledge of the society and to prepare the young people for their future membership of the society and their active participation. The Goddess Ma’at, ancient Egyptians learned and practiced, truth, justice, and maintained order, balance and harmony. Some principles of Ma’at are to make sure that, “I have not polluted myself, I have not terrorized anyone, and I have not disobeyed the law”.

Dr. Segun Gbadegesin

In this week’s freshman seminar lecture, we were spoken to by Dr. Segun Gbadegesin. He spoke to us about “Omoluabi:” Self Actualization and communal responsibility. The lecture focused on the need of not only bettering ourselves but also our community. Omoluabi is a concept in the Yoruba culture, a road they take to becoming a human of great character. He explained that the closer an individual gets to becoming one of great character, the closer one becomes to Iwa; God. He also brought up the fact that there were beliefs of morality before the bible came into existence. The philosophy of Goddess Ma’at, Vizier Ptahhotep, and Pharaoh Amenemope all spoke about principles of truth, justice, responsibility and becoming one with the earth. The “Principles of Ma’at” is one that is still followed today. The principles included truth, justice, maintaining order, balance and harmony. The more you grasp these concepts the more respect you will receive. Ptahhotep spoke about the same concepts. He once said, “A man of character is a man of wealth.” To become a man with character, one has to understand the good of existence. This means you have to have a responsibility of self. Having responsibility to self means you remake yourself through education. Good existence also means having responsibility to the community. Having responsibility to the community means that you serve and remake the community with education. He spoke about avoiding mis- education. Teach yourself and understand Iwa Lewa; good character is beauty and Iwa Lesin; the essence of religion.