Homecoming!

Summary:

Homecoming weekend was a homecoming I will never forget. I’ve never seen so much school spirit in my life. I was told Howard had one of the best homecomings in the Nation, but it wasn’t until now that I can totally agree. As a freshman, it was important to me to attend most of the Homecoming events available to make my first homecoming most memorable. Saturday before homecoming week, I went to Midnight Madness and had a phenomenal time. Monday, I attended the Comedy Show as well as the Poetry Cipher on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I went to the Fashion Show, which by the way was one of my favorite. Friday was Yard Fest and Saturday was the parade and Homecoming game vs. NC A&T.

Analysis:

Overall, Homecoming was amazing. I saw more celebrities than I’ve ever seen. It is a beautiful thing to see Alumni come back every year to reunite with old friends and have a good time with new students. I absolutely loved my experience during my first college homecoming and I can’t wait for the other 2 to come.

Homecoming

From a very early age I have always heard many great things about Howard University's Homecoming. This annual affair is an event that teens, college students, alumni and so many more rave about because of the great experiences occur throughout the week. From the various shows, festivities, parties and the homecoming game itself Howard is the place to be during this time and I am happy that my first homecoming experience happened here.

Out of the various shows that were put on by our students and various performers I attended the R&B Show, Fashion Show I and Yardfest and enjoyed every second of all three. The amount of talent that was showcased at these three different events is mind blowing. The fashion show which occurred on Wednesday included Howard University students showcasing pieces from various artist. I believe that every student did an excellent job and I commented many times that they seemed very professional and like they could make modelling a profession if they truly wanted to do so. I especially like the aspect that the fashion show models were not limited to one body type, we saw females and males of different shade, sizes and shapes and that in itself is beautiful.

On Friday I attended both Yardfest and the R&B show and this was the best day of the week. The atmosphere on the yard was amazing and an experience that one would have to experience to actually get a sense of how everyone felt. I have never seen the yard filled with so many people from D.C and all over the country. There were people both young and old enjoying the food, activities, music and the company of others. I enjoyed listening to the music of some of my favorite artist Wale and Gyptian and singing and dancing and just having a good time with my friends.

This week was definitly a memorable week and a week that will go down as one of the best weeks that I have experience so far at Howard University. I wish that it didn't have to end but I am also happy that it is coming to a close. Its time to get back to the main reason that I am here and that is to receive the best education that I possibly can. Its time to shake up this weeks events and regain my focus, because I am team 4.0!

-Alexandria Daley

Free Write

This week we were told to write a free write blog post and after several hours of thinking about what to write I decided to write about an issue that concerns be today colorism. This morning I was talking to my friend about how light skinned African American are preferred over dark skinned African Americans and we came up with the conclusion that the black community makes it this way. I just wanted to share my thoughts on this matter.

From the beginning to recent times our society has always favored light skin African Americans over dark skinned African Americans due to colorism, a form of prejudice. Colorism, defined as a practice of discrimination by which those with lighter skin are treated more favorably than those with darker skin has become such a controversial topic causing many problems within the black community.

Today, the issue of colorism has not seized to exist amongst the African American community. We see it all around us from the latest music videos to the hit televisions shows playing on our favorite station even within our everyday relationships with our friends and spouses. The world today, especially the media, has seemed to put a standard on what is considered beautiful, light skin. Majority of the “video girls” in the hip hop and rap videos today are light skin females with dark skin females occurring occasionally or in the background while their counterpart is featured in the spotlight. We rarely see someone of a darker skin color playing the main role in television or in a movie and if they are they play the antagonist of the story. The media gives their audience what they want and in our world today light skin is the right skin and is what people want.

“Some African Americans, dark and light, prefer light-skinned mates so they can have a “pretty baby” . Many members of the African American community pursue light skin partners of the opposite sex in the hopes that their children will have a lighter complexion, hopefully with light eyes and “good hair” as well. They disregard potential mates with darker skin tones deeming them “dirty, poor and ugly” and not worth their time. Dark skin males and females are shunned by their own community for something that they have no control over, a physical trait that does not conform to society’s idea of beautiful.

It is detestable that colorism is still a prominent issue amongst African Americans in today’s day and age. As if racism and discrimination from other races isn’t enough the Black community finds alternative ways to put down and further separate each other. In the year 2011black America still defines beauty and an individual’s status based on the pigment of their skin and it is shame. It is a shame that although we have been freed from the chains of the white man, we still have mentally chained ourselves from these discriminating ideals.

-Alexandria Daley

Research and Methodolgy

Summary:

Thursday's lecture discussed a lot of beneficial topics. As the lecture objective states, we identified the different components of research, we related these components to research and then connected the lectures to our group projects. We were informed about how we should begin our group project and how to find a topic. The components of research include statement of problem, current state of research, methodology, development of the thesis, and conclusions. Methodology is extremely important, especially in Thursday’s lecture. Methodology is of course the method in which you gather your research and data collection. Outlining or determining your research method makes things a lot easier when it comes down to putting your data together. The conclusion of your research is just as important. It is essential to answer the following questions; what new insights have your research revealed? What limitations does your research include? And what future study should this research undertake? Our research should indeed have a new discernment of information.

In Thursday's lecture we also covered transformative scholarship at Howard. We learned about a few representative thinkers that started at Howard. W. Montague Cobb was a critical individual here at Howard. He earned his PhD here, he is the author of more than 1,100 publications, and he built black medical and scientific institutions. In order for Cobb to produce such greatness, he had a distinct tradition of research such as offensive posture and using objective humanitarian concepts.

Reflection:

Dr. Dana Williams did an outstanding performance of delivering Thursday's lecture, Research and Methodology. Her lecture was clear, entertaining, and understanding. I understood everything she was saying because of how clear she articulated as well as the help of her visual presentation. I am ready to begin our group projects for I know the tips given in the presentation will surely help my group and I establish our research and methodology.

- Alexis Noelle

References:
         "Redirect Notice." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=w.+montague+cobb&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=615&tbs=isz:m&tbm=isch&tbnid=f6gX8pcpG_zljM:&imgrefurl=http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer%3Fpagename%3DAAHP_Database_Bio_m_cobb%26printer_friendly%3D1&docid=3K89SJ_XSi01HM&itg=1&imgurl=http://www.nasonline.org/images/content/pagebuilder/183913.jpg&w=351&h=467&ei=RzObTr6-Ccrr0gHHybygBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur

Yoruba: My Culture

The talk was really good, but I never saw head or tail of those light refreshments. But I learned much more about my own culture. The religion of Yoruba is a thing previously unknown to me, and the fact that there are that many people in Brazil, West Africa, and America that claim and Identify with the Yoruba culture, its an amazing feeling to know that you are a part of that. Furthermore, he spoke in detail about the religion, explaining how everything could be a member of such a religion. Such an accepting culture is very inviting, but i  am content in my praise of jesus. Yoruba culture is something that I think I am interested in and would like to look up more, and learn more about. Thats a plan.
Thomas Obisesan

Out with the Black in with the Incompetent

This weeks lecture was more informative than inspirational. I actually feel like I walked away with something more. I learned that when the desegregation occurred they removed all the black teachers including the qualified ones and replaced them with less qualified teachers. Furthermore, the trend set from that day and age has continued with statistically less african american teachers than caucasian teachers. I can attest to this because of my experience in public education, there are very few black educators out there. They are less in principal positions and even in densely populated areas of African Americans the ratio still prevales. It is interesting because we should be taking the future of OUR youth into our own hands, but were leaving it up to others. This is the ever consisting problem with African Americans, initiative  persistance, and even simply caring. We need to hone these qualities in our young for the success of our society, not just African American culture but American Society.
Thomas Obisesan

Lecture #7

In my opinion this week’s lecture was the most eye-opening class that we have had so far and really made me evaluate my future and if I am doing what is right for me. Dr. Leslie Fenwick the Dean of the School of educator was our guest speaker for the day and I think that she was wonderful and her message was clear. I was so intrigued by the information that she was sharing with us that I didn’t take much notes on paper however I remember her message.

She began the lecture giving us a mini “pop quiz”, she asked us a series of questions containing statistics regarding the African community and our community as a whole. I do not remember all of the questions however I was astonished by the actual statistics behind the questions. After allowing us some time to think about the question and answer it in our own opinion she revealed to us the real answers and we couldn’t believe it because what we thought was true was the complete opposite. Mrs. Fenwick said to us “too many people in our community do not know the statistics regarding our community” and judging by the “ohh and wes” of my fellow classmates and I this was true.

“Which group outscores the other when it comes to standardized test?” asked Dr. Fenwick. The whole classes burst with excitement after this question because we are almost positive that we knew the correct answer., little did we know that we were wrong. Only two people in a class of probably 200 plus students answered the correct answer thar African American males outscore their counterparts. Fr, Fenwick explained to us that our community does not put the right statistics out there that properly represent us and that it is our job to know who we are and what we are about. As a spinoff of the question she asked us if this statistic is true “How come we do not see more African American males in college?” This question really had me thinking. I honestly cannot come up with an answer to this question three days later because I do not understand how people let their intelligence go to a waste. I think it is our job to build up these young men and make them realize what a gift they have and that college in an opportunity to further their gift.

Dr. Fenwick explained to us that she has devoted her career to “improving educational opportunity and outcomes for African Americans and underserved student.” I really admired her for this statement and the statements that came after that to back up her strong beliefs. She believes that as an educator she can basically change the world one child and a time overcoming any challenges that may lay ahead. She spoke about her profession so passionately and the leaps and bounds she has made from a elementary school teacher to becoming a dean at a university.

The statement that really made me think about my career path of being a nurse was when she said to do what we want to do because we love it and we feel that we can make a difference doing it, not because of the money it will bring. Every time I tell someone that I am majoring in nursing in the hopes to become a neonatal nurse I automatically get the response that I have chosen a great career path because I will be set for life with the money that I will be making and the benefits of job security. Although being a nurse has those perks these are not the reasons why I am choosing this career. I want to change lives, I want to help someone when it seems like they have nothing left, I want them to give them hope and happiness and everything that people deserve. Dr. Fenwick didn’t really make me question my career choice but strengthened my decision to become a nurse. I thought about it and this is something that I am sure that I am going to love.

I really enjoyed Dr. Leslie Fenwick’s speech and the insight she provided us about making decisions that will help us in the future. I also appreciate her for educating us more about our community so that we too can go on and educate others.

-Alexandria Daley

"Miss Evers Boys"

Evers Boys

To be honest I did not have high expectations as I sat in the theatre waiting for the play “Miss Evers Boys” to begin. My thought process was since this show was required for me to go to by a class that it would be one of those shows that are like “pulling your teeth” because the plot of the story is of no interest to me. However I was greatly surprised when I was proven wrong. I think that this play was phenomenal and I enjoyed it greatly.

“Miss Evers Boys”, set in the time of the Great Depression, is the story of a young nurse Eunice Evers. Miss Evers Boys tells the story of “The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks with Syphilis” in which there was a lack of treatment and heath care given to groups of African American men who had contracted syphilis due to a study. This study was performed to show how blacks and whites react when given the same diseases. I was sad to see theses innocent men being turned away by the government after initially being treated for the disease. And I was disappointed that the government continued to lie to these men and give them false hope when all they were doing were looking out for themselves. In the end two men died because they received no treatment even though there was treatment available.

After watching this play I came to a clearer realization that we do not live in just world. Due to the color of these men skin their lives that easily could have been saved, were taken. I really enjoyed this play and I would recommend for anyone to see it as well in the hopes that they will enjoy it as much as I did.

African Burial Grounds

I enjoyed the trip to my home town, New York City to see the African Burial Grounds. I was excited to be home again and feel the NYC vibe again but most importantly excited to see this historical place that I’ve heard so much great things about. While looking at the different sites I learned a lot and grew a better appreciation and understanding of my culture. This ground which has a plethora of cultural exhibitions did not fail to amuse me and in fact every piece was eye opening. I distinctly remember seeing the pyramid door, although unfinished, a beautiful masterpiece both physically and for the meaning behind it. This door is said to be a symbol of the slaves leaving there motherland towards slavery. I enjoyed myself here and since I live in New York I’m positive that I will return to be enlightened again.

-Alexandria Daley

Miss Evers Boys

Summary:

Miss Evers' Boys is a true story, around the time of the Great Depression, about the U.S Government and their secret medical experiments done on African Americans with Syphilis. This experiment was entitled The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks with Syphilis. During this experiment 412 men were selected and by the end of the experiment only 127 remained alive. The main character, or whom the story was told by in her point of view, was Nurse Eunice Evers. She was very familiar with the experiment, for she knew the lack of medication and treatment there was for this disease. Miss Evers new a lot of the men who were selected in the study and felt the need to comfort these men at this time. Miss Evers tells the story of the project that goes on from the beginning of the 1930's to the Second World War, the 40's and beginning of the 50's when the study was finally ceased.

Reflection:

Miss Evers' Boys was the first real play that I have ever been to. I had a great time and I’m glad I took the opportunity to go and watch it. The play was very long, but it was really good so it didn't even matter. I thought Howard couldn't have done better choosing Miss Evers' Boys to turn into a play. Washington, D.C has a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases and this was perfect to open the eyes up our students. All of the actresses and actors did an outstanding performance. I would definitely go see it again, for I did enjoy myself. :)

- Alexis Noelle

The Eloquence of Scribes

There are many things I can do to be part of Howard's elite, but a few things are vital to successfully become part of the"best and the brightest". The first I want to discuss is having a goals, because without them one dosen't know what they are working towards. I have a goal, and that is to be part of the Howard elite and I know what I have to do to get there. But, that is the next thing, doing what you have to do to get where you wanna go. I know that im gonna have to work hard and sacrifice my time and effort, but I also know Im gonna have to make decisions for myself. Im also going to need the dedication to do what I need to do.

Being a citizen of the world means having a global mentality, a mental reach that is not restrained by borders or nationality. Being cognisent of what is going on in our global community.

The one person who inspires me the most is Ben Carson. He has done so much from starting off with so little. He is a house hold name and an achiever to the highest level. He is recognized as one of the best neurosurgeons in the world, and has the earned the right to be recognized as such.
Thomas Obisesan

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

This week’s lecture by Dr. Alvin Thornton was very enlightening and thought provoking which made for interesting class. Dr. Thornton stressed to us the importance of education, what it means to be a citizen of the United States today and the importance of not only becoming successful for the sake of our lives but for others, we must be role models for the future. Dr. Alvin Thornton stressed that as a student of Howard University it is not only enough to be a part of the legacy but to continue it as those people who have come before us have done.

As students of the prestigious Howard University one of the top HBCU’s it is a known fact that for the next four years of our lives we will be receiving the best education that we can get at a higher institution. However we alone must not be the only ones who benefit from the knowledge we receive here at the “Mecca”. We must take this education that we receive and become role models of our society for our younger generations; we must become a representative of our people. We must not take our education and keep it to ourselves for the sole purpose of greed and wealth but share it with those less fortunate so they too can become wealthy in knowledge and economically. We must lend a helping hand to the African American community, our roots, and be their mentors and advocates so that we as people can progress.

As a student of Howard University there is so much that I can do to become the “best and brightest” both for personally and for the Howard community. Personally I can make sure that I attend every class that I am mandated to take for my major as well as making sure that I am prepared so that there is nothing stopping me from getting the best education possible. I must not stop there however; I must continue to complete all my assignments as well as reading ahead and studying all the material covered. I can study hard by myself or with a group and seek help from my peers as well as teachers when I am having trouble, I must utilize all my resources. To be the best and brightest of Howard I can get involved in many of the clubs and organizations going on. Many organizations strive on giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate than ourselves while also building student’s leadership and character skills. Students in these organizations and clubs are the best and brightest of Howard.

In the lecture Dr. Thornton spoke about what it means to be a citizen in our country. She repeatedly said that as citizens of the United States we must not be complacent and it is our job to take the opportunities that are presented to us. We must remember that African American’s fought for the rights that we have today and for that we owe it to them to take full advantage of what we are given. We must allow to government to limit our rights, we must not be limited by our funds; our citizenship must not be limited. To be a citizen of the world means to not only the basics of living in that particular country and having that country’s rights and knowing its history but much more. To be a citizen of the world we must carry on the legacy of our country by representing and serving it, we must not limit ourselves.

In Dr. Thornton’s lecture he said that we as Howard students are expected to “till and turn over the soil.” This expression was unfamiliar to me at first and I kind of brushed it off after hearing it but now that I see it here in this question I am forced to really think about it. This expression to me means to continue what others before me have started my nurturing the idea and concept more and making it better and furthering it along. Throughout my two months here I have met many upperclassmen that are so involved around campus while also maintaining a very high GPA. They constantly tell me to not limit my dreams and that I most work hard and go after them. Like these upperclassmen and from the many representative thinkers of Howard I have been inspired to carry on their way of thinking and to inspire those that come after me to continue to fight and better our community.

-Alexandria Daley

Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

Summary:

Today's lecture consisted of a lot of information. Dr. Thorton spoke on the legacy of Howard and how we, as students, will contribute to the 'best and brightest' of Howard. As a Howard student, I will contribute and uphold this by study hard and prepare to lead us in a new direction, consistently keeping up with my work, go to class every day, graduate in 4 years, and as Dr. Thorton said would be 'the hardest thing to do at Howard', forming new different friendships. Students at Howard are different, special and unique. Howard makes sure that students have historical experiences in historical environments to form better students. What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? To me, this means having a voice, allowing yourself to be heard. I think it is important, as a citizen, to have an opinion and let it be known. You have a say just as much as anyone else and you are just as essential as anyone else. My citizenship in the nation informs my citizenship in the world because our nation is indeed a part of the world; therefore I am a citizen to the world as well. There is no nation without the world. As Dr. Thorton proclaimed, "I do exist, this is how I speak." I think that Dr. Thorton himself is a great Howard representative thinker. He inspires me being that he is also from the south. I am somewhat familiar with the education systems and I know that they may not be the best. He got away and came to Howard to better educate himself and so did I.

Reflection:

The presentation was great! Overall, I thought the presentation was amazing and Dr. Thorton did a great job delivering it. At first, I must admit I didn't know how much I would like it being that there wasn't, once again, a visual aid. I was shortly mistaken. Dr. Thorton's lecture was extremely affective. He had a lot of helpful things to say. He removed himself from the South for better education opportunities because apparently, southern education systems aren't good systems. He shared with us his experience at Howard and how he has continued the Legacy. When asked 'What can we do as Howard students to also continue the legacy?', Dr. Thorton replied with "Be the best student you can." Graduate in four years, use your intellect, expand your vocabulary, make excellent grades, and don't lose your scholarship. The world will stand up and look and say 80% of students graduated in four years? Let them see. HU, YOU KNOW!

- Alexis Noelle