Dr. Carr discussed the history of learning and its close relation to Africa. He especially focused Egypt, the land that educated future dynasties, seeing that ancient Egyptians mastered language, astrology, and mathematics. The lecture also aimed to inform young African American students of their ability, based on the greatness of our African ancestors.
Through the lecture I learned that I am greatness, it’s my right of passage. Although I lived life believing that I’m pro-Black, I soon learned that I, along with many other young African Americans, still have much to learn. When I learned of the pathways Djehuty and Seshat, I couldn’t help but thing about the imbalance of men and women here on campus. Black males are more likely to spend time behind bars opposed to a collegiate course. Djehuty and Seshat operated as a dynamic team and made stride of great magnitude. Although people can leave Howard and make great strides, my constant thought is: are we being held back due to the imbalance? This issue lives outside Howard’s campus as well, Black males are found in emergencies rooms with gunshot wounds with the black female in left to act as the mother and father. It’s known that when things are done in decency and order, greatness is produced. Nothing is orderly consisting of broken homes and crowed jails. I personally believe that if the balance is restored we can go further as a people. Until then, the best thing to do is work on self, so when balance is restored, homes are complete and remain unbreakable.
Ashley D. Lewis
Freshman seminar? “What is that?!,” I asked when I saw it for the first time on my list of required courses. All of my family and friends that were either in or had graduated from college had an input on what it could be. They told me all sorts of things: “it’s an easy A class” “They just advise you” “It’s too make the transition from high school to college easier”. Needless to say they were all wrong..
ReplyDeleteIn Dr. Carr’s freshman seminar class we explored the history of African Americans. The extent of my knowledge of African American history is about three to four pages of my eleventh grade U.S. history notes. It begins with “Indentured servitude of African Americans began in the 1600’s..” and it ends “...African Americans became legal citizen in 1865”. This class is so refreshing because it teaches more about our history than just slavery. I was sad in the beginning of the class. My initial thought was “here we go, more depressing stories about black people” , but it is not like that at all. Before Dr. Carrs class i did not know about Richard Theodore Greener or his daughter Belle da Costa Greene. He was the first African American to graduate from Harvard college. Meanwhile, his daughter was the librarian of the notorious J.P. Morgan.
Another very inspirational thing that Dr. Carr mentioned that i never thought about was competition. He said that instead of fighting to get to the top and not helping your fellow African Americans, that we should work together. I never thought about that. School has always been about me doing my best and not caring about anyone else’s grade but my own. I would never purposely sabotage another students grade regardless of ethnicity, but I was not helping them either. I tutored students for community service hours, but I never truly sat down and said let me help this student get a better grade. His class made me think about that alot. I have come to the conclusion that I do want my classmates to do well and succeed just as well as I am; and I can help them achieve that success.
Lastly, I must say I truly enjoyed this class. It was inspirational. I’m African and to an extent I never really understood what African Americans go through. I know where I am from. I know my family tree, my language, my culture. After this class I actually asked someone “Do you care that you do not know where your from?”, I see now that it was an unnecessary question. Of course they care! I know I would care if I didn’t know where I was from. This school, being an HBCU, is different from others. How many students can say in their freshman seminar they learned about their brothers and sisters? I assure you not many and for that Dr. Carr’s class was truly a triumph!