My First Freshman Seminar Lecture!!!!
Yesterday was my first real freshman seminar class where the class actually began the first of many lectures. The first lecture was given by Dr. Carr whose voice can make even the sleepiest person's eyes burst open. In a class that big, the lecturer's enthusiasm is a must. The title of the lecture focused on Africa with special emphasis on ancient Egypt's Djehuti and his wife Seshat. I have never even heard of these people before or knew of their great accomplishment of inventing numbers and letters. Thinking myself a well read and learned person, I was shocked that I had never actually heard of them. I immediately felt a sense of pride that my own people had been the first to create written language instead of believing the common belief that language started in Europe of ancient Greece. I learned so much that class that I almost ran out of room on my mbongi form! Plus I would never even have thought that the word mbongi from the people of Congo would ever become part of my regular vocabulary...I guess that's HBCU life for you...
While Dr. Carr was speaking I felt empowered. He talked about having a fresh start in college where I could be anything I wanted to be. I've always thought of myself as good student but sometimes lacked motivation. No longer is that going to be me. Dr. Carr told us that the power to be educated ALWAYS lies with student when all else fails. There's no reason why I cannot take advantage of all the opportunities that Howard has to offer. With the excitement and atmosphere here at HU, my possibilities are endless. When a whole crowd screams HU YOU KNOW at any given time, it's impossible not to feel like you're at home.
After sitting through the lecture, it hit me. BAM! I'm actually getting a chance to really learn about my people from professors who actually care about the topic. Coming from a predominantly white all girls school, I didn't really get the opportunity to learn about my heritage in ancient Africa, let alone from people who actually cared about the topic. As Dr. Carr made the room pronounce words that my mouth had never pronounced from the language of my people, I felt at ease when my tongue didn't. Finally I was at home. I realized the Mecca is where I need to be. Only at Howard University would I ever be able to find enthusiasm and education like this. FINALLY! AMEN!!!
While Dr. Carr was speaking I felt empowered. He talked about having a fresh start in college where I could be anything I wanted to be. I've always thought of myself as good student but sometimes lacked motivation. No longer is that going to be me. Dr. Carr told us that the power to be educated ALWAYS lies with student when all else fails. There's no reason why I cannot take advantage of all the opportunities that Howard has to offer. With the excitement and atmosphere here at HU, my possibilities are endless. When a whole crowd screams HU YOU KNOW at any given time, it's impossible not to feel like you're at home.
After sitting through the lecture, it hit me. BAM! I'm actually getting a chance to really learn about my people from professors who actually care about the topic. Coming from a predominantly white all girls school, I didn't really get the opportunity to learn about my heritage in ancient Africa, let alone from people who actually cared about the topic. As Dr. Carr made the room pronounce words that my mouth had never pronounced from the language of my people, I felt at ease when my tongue didn't. Finally I was at home. I realized the Mecca is where I need to be. Only at Howard University would I ever be able to find enthusiasm and education like this. FINALLY! AMEN!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment