Course Reflection

This has been a long, tiresome course, but I grew to love it. When I first joined the class everything seemed so irrelevant. I know I attend an HBCU, but I did not expect to be forced to sit through lectures that have been taught to me throughout my school years. The difference this time was that I got to hear from professorsn like Dr. Carr, who happens to be very passionate about African American studies. Honestly, I hate that the course has ended. I am intrigued by my change of heart. I find myself having out of class discussions with my friends and family about the NY African burial ground. It makes me wonder what my ancestors went through and whether I am actually walking on top of their burial ground. My favorite quote from this course is "when you are conceptualized as empty, you are filled with everything you encounter." I learned that a mbongi is a house without rooms. If I could change anything about the course, it would be to lengthen the time frame for guest speakers. I am a proud African American female, and this course has given me a different insight on my ancestors struggle.

Presentations

First off let me start off by saying all of the presentations were great. I cannot believe my group pulled it off. Everybody seemed so lost at the beginning, but we came together and had a masterpiece on our hands. We discussed the incompentacy of math education and future instructors. Sometimes I think I am a math major because science evolves around mathematics. During our presentation, I was unable to read one of the slides due to the colors chosen in the PowerPoint layout. All of the other groups presentations were organized, and their PowerPoints were neat. The students knew the material and were able to answer any question thrown at them. My favorite presentation was the one that focused on Thurgood Marshall's attributions to America's justice system.

Presentations ....

Presentation was not what I had expected at all. Going  into this course I knew there would be a research question that we all had to answer and I thought we were going to have to answer it in essay form but I was all wrong. Turned out to be that were in groups and present to whatever section we were in. I was kind of upset that we start working on our projects so late but that was because we were informed on working on the project a little late. At the end, it all came together though, and I believe we had a good enough presentation.

One groups presentation that I enjoyed was of my friends Lailah Duke group and how they related everything back to Hip Hop and how the social class between then and now is so different when it comes to music. That specific topic touched me more because I understand the difference that they applied with great information to explain their motive. While watching their presentation, I loved how the different slides had different movements and well put together art work. Every slide had information, and a picture to go along with it.

From bad to good presentations, I appreciated all the presentation that was presented to the course. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t but good luck to the ones who have yet to experience it. The presentations was not what I intended them to be but they were worth watching.

Final Evaluation

Freshman Seminar was definitely a mind enhancer for the year of 2011. I did not expect to learn so many things about myself and where my people have originated from. During this one semester course, we learned about our characteristics as being an African American, the significance of the African American Burial Ground, how to better develop ourselves mentally but also productively. I obviously gained some knowledge in areas where it was needed and hopefully other's encounters were also.

Many African Americans say that they are black but in reality, are not aware of who they are on the inside. When you ask a African American what they are , the respond with the answer of "black" but what does your ethnic background have to do with who you really are. In many of the lectures over the course of the semester addressed that we are different in many ways; our way of learning, the way we deal with specific situations, our matters of being black. By these, does not mean that we are incoherent learners but it means that we learn and apply things differently. African Americans need to see their problems and address them in a manner in which everyone understands.

Another interesting aspect of this course was indulging in the significance of the African American Burial Grounds. Learning about it in a class session was interesting but actually being able to go look at where all our ancestors was buried was devastating. I like how we continued to stay in a Mbongi during the trip to New York. By us paying our respect to our ancestors was fulfilling. I would enjoy going on that trip again.

Lastly, I believe that our mental development should have changed drastically. Hearing all the successful lectures about being something greater and to focus in on school and to receive good grades was an inspiration. To be successful should no longer be a choice for African Americans but it should be mandatory. Hopefully many learned from these lectures and are going to take this uplifting information into their own hands.

Overall I enjoyed Freshman Seminar. Before entering into this class I really thought it was going to be pointless and obviously I was wrong. You learn about yourself and your framers and I think this course was definitely need for me entering college with an open mind. I learned to not judge a course by its title but by its performance and that has proved me right.

Group Reflection

My group presentation in my eyes went very well. I contributed to the best of my abilities. It was a very relax setting and my group was extremely productive. The question we asked was how current African American scholars are making African Americans interested in the field of mathematics. This question was very interesting for me to find out because I had my opinion I was also able to figure out how others thought about it. At the end are group presentation went well and we gave are on. Now I believe are environment or Mbongi was positive and enjoyable. I feel like this was the perfect project for me to end freshman seminar. I was able to put everything I learned during freshman seminar. 

End of Semester Reflection

The end of the semester at Howard University has been amazing. Freshman Seminar has been for me a life time experience that can never be took away are changed by anybody. This year first semester went by extremely fast for me but the things that I learned our abided in my head. I have created Mbongi with others without even noticing. This year I did not agree with everything, but it was informative and helped me. During this class many interesting lecture were given forcing me to think like a scholar. I can say that freshman seminar has been a great experience. I was taught a lot about the African culture and our contribution to the world. During class I also was able to hear real life scholars that have transformed their academic knowledge into wisdom in their particular field of study. Each speaker had their own way of teaching and they were all effective. I also think the Mbongi helped me focus and helped me keep my notes organized. Reflecting back on freshman seminar I have strengthened my critical thinking skills. I did not agree with everything that was said but it helped me be very analytical as a scholar. I constructed my own opinion and expressed how I felt about particular lectures by talking with other students and writing in my blog. Altogether the class was successful because it taught me to think like a scholar. I believe now more than ever I am and Howard University scholar in the making.

“Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery—Continuing the Legacy of Howard University”

This week the lecture was “Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery—C ontinuing the Legacy of Howard University”given by Dr. Alvin Thornton. This lecture asked the question of what will we do to be successful in college and life. Now at this lecture it was totally different from all the others. It was no power points just an open discussion. He first started off by talking about Howard University and legacy.  Dr. Thornton wanted to know how we will affect Howard University legacy now that we are a part of it. The one thing that I know I will do to be the best and brightest at Howard University is to give my best and never stop trying. I understand that greatness is in my future but I must work hard to achieve it. I also understand with greatness I will be a citizen of the world. By be a citizen of the world I will take on world issues and understand how my actions affect more than just me. Dr. Thornton said that Howard University students will “turn over the soil”.  This to me means to change things in the world and challenge how the world operates.

Ending Lectures Free Write

Freshman Seminar has been interesting. Many things I did not agree with, but it was ultimately informative and helped me. During this class many interesting lecture were given forcing me to think like a scholar. I can say that freshman seminar has been a great experience. I was taught a lot about the African culture and our contribution to the world. During class I also was able to hear real life scholars that have transformed their academic knowledge into wisdom in their particular field of study. Each speaker had their own way of teaching and they were all effective. I also think the Mbongi helped me focus and helped me keep my notes organized. Reflecting back on freshman seminar I have strengthened my critical thinking skills. I did not agree with everything that was said but it helped me be very analytical as a scholar. I constructed my own opinion and expressed how I felt about particular lectures by talking with other students and writing in my blog. Altogether the class was successful because it taught me to think like a scholar.

Research and Methodology

This particular lecture was dedicated mainly to the six components of research. Which were: Statement of the problem/challenge, current state of research methodology, framework, development of the thesis and, of course, the conclusion. She also stated there needs to be  goal of the lecture was to pursue a lifetime of independent discovery importance of research. Within all of these categorized she gave key things that would help to describe the category. These six components were unheard of until now. These are new steps that I look forward to using to improve the research I engage in. The objective was to identity the six components and to relate the components to the group projects. Lastly we going to relate the previous lectures to the up coming group projects. Then she stated there was a rotation of memory, historical memory, awareness, memory or knowledge that has been institutionalized, and vision, imagined or unimagined.
  These six component definitely will help in my upcoming research paper in English 002. I know that they will contribute in all my research assignment so I will be keeping these notes even after graduation. The presentation was well put together and Dr. Dana Williams spoke loud and clear. The lectures this semester were very insightful. I can now understand why they all are combined into the final project. I also appreciate the structure of the class. There was a plan and I followed along with in and now I feel on task with everything. 
I enjoyed reading my peers' posts. Their blog posts were very insightful. 

Homecoming

Homecoming was not a big deal to me. I had no time for the festivities because I was too busy studying and going to class. I only attended the HU parade, which was so disorganized. Don't get me wrong, I love my school, but this week will determine the pass or fail of some students. Howard University stringently enforces networking and I was able to do just that. I attended the alumni celebration across from the bookstore, and it was so amazing seeing multiple generations of Howard students interact. I met an alumni who happens to be a medical doctor. We exchanged contact information, and I am looking forward to working with her. Congratulations to HU's football team for North Carolina A&T. H...U. You KNOW!

Homecoming Week

The Real HU!!!!! Homecoming week was amazing. It was everything I was expecting from the Yard Fest to the R&B concert. It was everything I was so much stuff to do and see. It was truly a huge party the from the time yard fest kicked off. I went to the R&B concert and it was worth every dollar I spent when I was there. Homecoming week for me was a time to relax from midterms and really enjoy myself. Now that Homecoming is over I am ready to do my normal routine and get back to work.  The best part of Homecoming week for me was the R&B concert. The best perform for me was Avant because he gave his all during the show. Avant did not want to live the stage. This was a great week and I truly enjoyed myself.

Found at Howard.edu

My Homecoming Experience

Homecoming at Howard University I do not feel like really began until Thursday. During the week before Thursday there were few people on the yard, and the campus seemed like a regular school day. However, on Thursday the yard started too transform I began too see more Howard Alumni shirts. I felt as if the campus was finally coming alive. On Friday Yardfest helped solidify the feeling that Homecoming was here. The yard was packed with people there were vendors, and all of the performances were phenomenal. Later that night there were parties and other fun events. And Saturday morning the parade and football game further aroused the feeling of Home for me as a student on the campus. In conclusion, my homecoming experience helped me further become proud of being a Howard student.

Howard's Homecoming Versus The Community's Homecoming

The reason for my title is simple. When attending yardfest, the parade, and game, there were more people from the surrounding communities, then actual students. It wasn't anything that I expected, but I still enjoyed myself. It was a sense of community and unity between African Americans, that Howard brought together. I viewed the amount of locals as both a positive and negative in some ways. I wasn't excited about the fact that I didn't get to see the majority of the students. It wasn't like highschool homecoming's where you take great pride in your school and you celebrate it together. It wasn't about Howard this weekend. More attention was shown to alumni than actual students. For example at the game, 100's of Howard current student's couldnt sit on the side with their school. I feel like students should have gotten first priority to everything. I could understand why alumni got a lot of priority seeing their financial contributions, but as students who pay tuition I think we should be granted priority especially as freshman.

Everyone told me that Howard's homecoming was the best. In many ways it trully is the best, but in some ways it's not. I think at other schools they focus on the students and the actual school and not just trying the impress the community. On a positive note, I had fun in general. It wasn't everything I expected, but overall I enjoyed myself. I attended the comedy show, the step show, the game, the parade, yardefest, and midnight madness. They were all extremly live and exciting. The celebrities was a great asset.

Reflecting back on homecoming overall it was once again another Howard experience. I enjoyed myself and I got to experience new things. I'm really sorry that the community acted the way they did and the amount of violence they called, but I'm really proud of Howard students not being involved in any of it.

Free-Write: Freshman Seminar Reflection

Freshman Seminar has been intresting to say the least. I've learned a lot about African American's and how they view themselves. Many things I did not agree with, but it was ultimately informative. During this class many intresting things has happened. For example, I just viewed by midterm grade. It was suprisingly a "U". I instantly emailed my TA because I have never missed a class, and I only missed one blog and that was because that was the week I went out of town. I can't say that freshman seminar has been a great experience, but I can at least say it was an experience. I was taught a lot about the African culture and our contribution to the world. During class I also was able to hear real life scholars that has transformed their academic knowledge ino wisdom in their particular field of study. Each speaker had their own way of teaching and they were all effective. I also think the Mbongi helped me focus and helped me keep my notes organized. Reflecting back on freshman seminar I also realized that I've learned how to think critically. I did'nt believe everything I heard in the lectures and didn't take everything that was said as the truth. I constructed my own opinion and expressed how I felt about particular lectures by talking with other students or blogs. Alltogther I learned so I think the class was a success.

The Play

To be honest with you, I hate going to plays, musicals, etc but Mrs. Evers Boys was really good. The way that all the actors played a good roll in showing and demonstrating how things was back then was great. While watching the play, I was able to put myself and their shoes and see what it was really like, it felt so life like. With all of the audiences participation and remarks showed me that everyone was really in tuned into the show. I have never heard about this play before I had come to this school, but it was well worth watching. This play makes you want to see and experience how things were done back then, and what men had experience. The fact that the government was so deceitful with the deforming experiment put thoughts in my head that our society’s government will always be bad.

I was disappointed to know that Mrs. Evers knew about what was going to take place and still let the government continue on with its actions. This was wrong because those men showed her so much respect for her to go behind those men backs. The fact that she told them she loved them and would help them if they had needed anything to just turn around in actually be a participant in deaths. She lied to them and I know that would hurt me if I was in that position. After seeing the real her, this made me come to an conclusion that she was the worst person in their lives. Even though the doctors and governments were the main occupants in this bad transition, none of them were close to the boys than Mrs. Evers was. All that consisted in this play, in terms of the government and Mrs. Evers was so terrible and it kind of made my stomach turn. I was happy to have enjoyed this play and I hope to see a good one like this again. Thank you Howard for not making me waste my money.

Miss Evers’ Boys on October 6, 2011

I went to see the play Miss Evers’ Boys on October 6, 2011. I did not know what to expect from this play but it was great. It made me cry and laugh at the same time. The story is about the Tuskegee Experiment which was an experiment on the effects of syphilis on African American men. When this play first started I thought the goal was to solve for the syphilis but instead this men were actually being used as an experiment. Towards the end of this movie I was upset really how the government allowed this man to be used as experimental toys and not as humans. The total man in this experiment was 399 men between the ages of 21 to 60 that were told that they were being treated for bad blood. Instead the government was just watching the different side effects of syphilis. The thing that really surprised me was when I found out the government would not allow this men to receive the treatment for syphilis because they was a part of this experiment. In my eyes these man where violated because they believed this people where there to help them but instead it was all private gains.

Special Event: Miss Evers' Boys

I went to the play on Thursday night and I'm so glad I did. Overall the play was great and it was a great message. The actors did a great job at performing, mastering their chacracter, and staying in role. It was nice to go to a function where talented African Americans were doing something good to get a message across. It was also great to see so many people support them. Whether they were there because they were forced or their to support I think we all learned something that night.

The play was about the unfortunate and unjust event that took place in 1932. The U.S. Public Health Service made an experiment called, "The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male." The experiment was done because they were trying to eliminate the whole race of African Americans. They thought that by giving black males syphilis it would eventually kill the black race. They told the participants of the study that they would provide them with free food, medical care, and burial expenses. They told them that they had "bad blood" and they were going to be cured. They used a nurse to recriute them who they called in the play Miss Ever's. Even though they eventually found they cure, they denied them it.

After reflecting on this play it just shows how poorly treated African Americans were and how eveil they were to us. They tried to act like they were helping us but they were really killing them off. This pllay puts the light on the veil done to African Americans and empasizes just one of the hardships we have faced.

Leap Science & Math school in South Africa Empowering students socially, emotionally, politically and intellectually

The lecture this week was about Leap Science & Math school in South Africa and the techniques they use to teach their students. Leap School or culturally relevant because it Validates & exalts traditional cultures (no one ashamed or feels inferior) – Act of Freedom & Justice to the Souls of African people – Colonial denied African culture. Leap also promotes & implements holistic learning, including in students communities so they are able to see how their principles play a major role. Leap school also incorporates African Epistemology in their learning environment. Leap places high emphasis on relationships and Ubuntu. This week’s lecture was surprisingly something that I was not expecting. When I first heard Leap Science & Math school I thought the lecture would be on  American schools system. But, instead we wher e able to take a look in the education system of South Africa and look at how sucessful their techniques are to teach African Childern. One of the main key points I heard in this lecture was how to teach African American childern  in America so that  they can suceed. The second key point I heard was relationships and ubuntu is key to teaching black childern. We as a people must place a high emphasis on African Axiology.This empower students socially, emotionally, politically and intellectually. As scholars this is important because we must be able to find ways for people can be social empowered in the world. It was a great lecture and made me think about something I never thought about before.

Breona Against Howard

The lecture this week really made me criticize Howard’s education. In no way am I ungrateful of my education here, but I have been taught to think critically and that is what I do during these lectures. Each speaker in seminar teaches to students like what they say is right and the truth. They teach us off of their own experience, while failing to teach us based off of facts. When I sit in seminar I feel like black leaders are gathering “the future” and trying to make us believe that the African culture is superior to everyone else’s. Now as you read along, depending on where you stand one might feel offended. This is in no way made to offend any of the distinguished speakers or makers of Freshman Seminar, but when I realize an issue I speak on it. I’m simply stating my opinion and hopefully bringing those who read this to realization of a few things.

I am so very proud of who I am and my culture. I take pride in being African American and I could not imagine being a part of any other race. Having a none bias attitude toward my race I have come across many bias things’ during Freshman Seminar. This week especially I was shocked by how simple minded so many African American people are. We rage about how “our oppressors” show racism to us and we are offended when they call us negative name, yet we can teach in a classroom under professional circumstances and call ALL whites our oppressor. We hate to be pre judged and we hate when they categorize us as one, but we do the same thing to them. Blacks that do this are just as bad as the “oppressors.” I put the word oppressors in quotations to mock the phrase used so much during this week’s lecture by Ms. Kim Worthy. Again, absolute no disrespect to the phenomenal speaker and great teacher, but what she said was offensive. Because I was so taken back by Ms. Worthy’s usage of the word “oppressor” I had to see if I was the only one that was affected by this. Not to my surprise EVERYONE I talked to said that it was inappropriate and a form of racism. Now my problem with her using it isn’t because it was inappropriate. By all means I respect when someone states their opinion. I’m not saying she should censor what she said because it was her belief, and clearly I’m all for stating my belief. What offended me was the fact that it was so contradictory to her own teachings. As black people we learn to hate racism. By simply categorizing a group of people as one and ultimately calling them your enemies, you my friend are racist.

Kim Worthy wanted to get a point across that we must reclaim our humanity. I agree with this statement, but I disagree with how we should go about doing it. She ultimately said that we must separate ourselves from the rest of the world. (I came to this conclusion because not only did she mention it, but she talked about the school LEAP which separates black education from European education). It is ironic how we went through so much so that African American’s could go to school with whites now we want to separate because now our education is “better.” We get mad at the whites because they thought their education was better so they didn’t want us to be involved in it now we think African education is better and the can’t be involved in ours. I think it’s crazy how we put so much emphasis on whites being racist, yet we do the SAME thing. When I hear people talk about how racist “they” are and see them do the same thing, I am embarrassed because blacks are in ignorance and don’t even realize how racist they are and how they are just as bad as whites. Going back to humanity my point was this: Humanity means we are all equal. We are ALL humans. So when you want to bring the idea out that blacks must reclaim their humanity you are doing the opposite of humanity. Humanity isn’t about separating groups of people, one group alone cannot reclaim humanity it is a HUMAN responsibility. By believing that one race can reclaim humanity you are once again separating and causing division. By simply acknowledging that difference of races you are contributing to the idea of racism. When you have come to a realization that it isn’t just about black people “making it” or white people “making it” then you are beginning to remove yourself from ignorance. When one realizes it’s about us as a human race coming together then, my friend, you have passed the phase that so many African Americans are unconsciously stuck in. When God put us on this earth it, wasn’t meant for there to be competition between races. He placed us all on this earth as equals. You ever wonder why His greatest commandment is love? He wants us ALL to come together as humans. If as blacks we would stop separating ourselves we would literally change the world. We cannot control how others view us, but we can control how we view others. Again, WE.CANNOT.CONTROL.HOW.OTHERS.VIEW.US. BUT.WE.CAN.CONTROL.HOW.WE.VIEW.OTHERS. We need to stop retaliating with fire against fire. It does us no good and it just contributes to us always being divided. I am not trying to scold blacks, but I do need to emphasize how important it is for us to get this message. I know as a speaker who has studied African American history for so long it is hard to change their way of thinking, but I am begging and pleading that you realize or just consider the fact that you may be racist and by teaching this generation (us in freshman seminar) you are just prolonging racism. This is cry to ALL African American administration, teachers, professors, speakers, lectures, and experts to please, please reconsider your way of thinking and where your ideas are truly stemming from. If you think hard enough with an open mind you may see that your thoughts are those of division. And if you find yourself even possibly being racist then it’s okay. As black a person that’s what was taught, we are the superior race and we must stick together and separate ourselves from everyone else who is our “oppressors.” All you have to do is remove the ignorance and begin to think critically and bias free.

This blog was in no way meant to criticize Ms. Worthy or any other speakers. My blog today will be like no others. I have stated what others feel, but don’t have the courage to say. I have hopefully made future lectures and past lecturers reevaluate themselves and their way of thinking. I am a proud member of the black community and my blog was made because I love my people, and I would hate for us to stoop down to anyone else’s level. And if I am criticized for my blog and called a traitor of my race then I will take whatever title given, because what was stated was my opinion and my truth and I will not go back on the words I have just stated. I actually encourage others to challenge what I have said as I have just challenged Howard University. If it has to be Howard against Breona then so be it.

The NY African Burial Ground *Special Event

"Unearthed" by Frank Bender

     The African Burial Ground was discovered in lower Manhattan in 1991, when during excavation work for a new federal office building at 290 Broadway, workers discovered the skeletal remains of the first of 419 men, women and children (41% were children, indicative of the hardships endured by child slaves). During the 17th and 18th centuries, free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground outside the then-current boundaries of the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam (which later became New York under British rule). Over the centuries, the unmarked cemetery was covered over by development and landfill (although I am skeptical that no other developers found skeletal remains previously--seems more likely to be numerous cover ups to me). 

    Did you know that the children of freed Africans were born into slavery?  Or did you know that NY state had more slaves than any other state other than South Carolina?  I had generally thought of the North as populated by abolitionists, but I suppose that was in the later part of the 1800s, and it seems to me that history books seem to completely omit this earlier American history. The visitor's center showed us a 20 minute film that tells of the discovery of the African Burial Ground and the incredible hardships that were endured by millions of Africans and African Americans. 

The picture above is a burial reenactment of a funeral of a child and adult slaves.

Miss Evers' Boys * Special Event

First and foremost, Howard University has the most talented students on the face of this earth! I had never heard about this story before going to see the students' play. "The story chronicles the experience of Miss Eunice Evers, the public health nurse who attempts to aid four of the men in the study but is disillusioned by self-serving doctors and Washington bureaucracy. After money is no longer available, the doctors devise the Tuskegee Study to change the direction of their work from the treatment of syphilis to the observation of the ravages of the disease; keeping the money rolling in, all in the name of science. The doctors use deceitful tactics to prevent their patients from receiving the newly developed miracle drug penicillin, which benefits others who are not in the study." The men in the play are taken care of by Miss Evers, like a mother would care for her children, but yet she allowed such actions to take place.  Many in the public health and research community will tell you that the mistrust that African Americans and other ethnic groups have, has less to do with the Syphilis Study and more to do with the overarching issue of racism in America. While some reports and research confirms this, the medical and health care communities must stay vigilant in creating health care settings that are welcoming, embracing, and respectful of all cultures. Where I am from, when you are ill, you don't go to the doctor; you use home remedies. However, I aspire to become a doctor, and I want to eliminate the mistrust of healthcare professionals within the African American community.It amazes me what people would do for the sake of keeping their title and financial stability. My heart and mind could not wrap around the fact that the U.S. government basically condoned an immoral, racist scientific experiment for forty years.

The Burial Grouds

Can you say eye opening. Going to the African Burial Cite was very touching. To see where the bodies lay and to know that there were still thousands buried under that cement was something else. Arriving in New York, I witnessed that there was not many black people in the part where we were at. When we first arrived there I really liked when Dr. Carr shared his knowledge and experience in the circle which I considered an Mbongi. I believe that we all had to feel just a little bit of sadness knowing that we were a part of a movement that was so immense. I really liked that when we went into the actual museum, that everything was so realistic better yet that we got to touch and take pictures of everything. The pieces that was in there gave us a great experience on how things had been years ago. One of the statues of the African reenacting of a ceremonial funeral was very cute.

Watching that movie in the theater really got me a feel of how things were back then. And in reality it really hurt watching what our people experienced, how hard it was for blacks to live back then. This makes me realize that I need to be grateful and thankful for the opportunities that I have been given and to not waste time because this is a blessing that I am even able to talk about. I hope that once day we will get appreciated for all the hardships that we have had to encounter. I would not mind going on this trip again and witnessing that great home feeling.

Culturally Relevant Teaching

I enjoyed the lecture instructed by Ms. Kimberly Worthy. Culturally Relevant Teaching is a pedagogy that empowers students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically by using cultural referents to impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes. One thing Ms. Worthy said really stood out to me, "No one can teach our kids (blacks) like we can teach our kids." There is findings that back up her statement. This played a major role in my decision to attend Howard University, an HBCU, over University of Georgia. I want to give back to my rich ancestry. Had I attended UGA, they could have cared less about me visiting the NY African burial ground or the teachings of the  African Diaspora. Research suggests that HBCU graduates realize higher earnings relative to non-HBCU. As such, their results lend support to the idea that HBCUs have a comparative advantage in nurturing the self-image, self-esteem and identity of graduates, which theoretically matters for labor market outcomes.


"As future educators, one of the biggest issues we deal with is how to treat children the same when they are different in so many ways." - Elizabeth Kuntz

What Can I Do?

Troy Davis was not the first, and he won't be the last. We must fight for CHANGE!

      
      Thankfully, I am able to attend Howard University on the Gates Millennium Scholarship. In choosing me as a recipient of the honorable, prestigious award, they evaluated my leadership ability. I am a future leader of America, but most importantly, I look forward to being a leader at Howard University. I plan on bringing financial awareness to our campus. I have big plans for my non profit organization that will reach out to D.C inner city school students. 
     In my eyes a citizen of the world is someone who contributes to not only their own community, but to the entire world’s one giant community as a matter of fact.  One who wants to become a citizen of the world can do so by helping others around the globe. It could be impossible for someone who wants to become a citizen of the world, but they could at least try to by communicating and contributing with everyone around them. A citizen of the world is outgoing, charitable, and has rights for themselves. Citizens of the world have personal qualities in themselves and portray those certain qualities by engaging in how they can help the world.

   Being a citizen, is how the people of society affect the world around them, or what people are doing to help the future generations and even the generation of today. The ancient world has had such an impact on the way we live in our societies today. We tend to forget who customized a class system and helped provide how we structure our communities. They shaped the meanings of a work ethic and the sense of doing a good deed because; it is the best way to show citizenship. No matter what year or day in age it was possible for people to show citizenship.

Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

   Justice Thurgood Marshall is a phenomenal representative thinker of Howard University.He led a civil rights revolution in the 20th century that forever changed the landscape of American society. He inspires me to be a champions because at the end of the day, CHAMPIONS BREAK CHAINS!

A child born to a Black mother in a state like Mississippi... has exactly the same rights as a white baby born to the wealthiest person in the United States. It's not true, but I challenge anyone to say it is not a goal worth working for.  - Thurgood Marshall

   

Dr. Thorton's Speech

1. What can and will you do to be a part of the "best and brightest" of Howard?
In order to be considered the"best and brightest," I feel I must first become the best me that I can be. I have come to an understanding that I'm not competing against anyone but myself. My goal in life is to reach MY fullest potential here at Howard. Being considered the best isn't something I worry myself with because I know having a goal to be better than another shows no
true ambition. My success is driven off of my own personal motivation. I choose to be the best at all I do, not because tbe best or the brightest, but because I reahed my own potential. In order to reach my fullest potential at this stage in my life I must always assert myself to take all oppurtunities available. Not only is it important to meet new people and build relationships with them, but I must also stay focused on my studies. I have to balance my social life with my academic life. In order for me to be considered the "best an brightest" that I can be, I must demonstrate leadership and be my own person. I have to be always seeking the Lord and see if His will is my will. If it isn't, I must make the neccisarry changes so that my life and actions reflects what God wants of and from me. I think it's extremely important that not only am I academically and socially secured, but I'm also secure in my relationship with God in order to be the best and the brightest by reaching MY fullest potential.

2. What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? How does your citizenship in the nation inform your world citizenry?
Dr. Thorton mentioned being a citizen of the world all throughout his speech. He said that to be a citizen one has universal rights. Those universal rights could differ from education, employement, to healthcare. He said citizens need to be granted certain basic rights and freedoms. To be a citizen of the world you must take up social space. You must make your presence known by contributiing to society. You have to be an active individual in the world to be a true citizen.

3. Identify a representative thinker of Howard. How does that figure's life work inspire you to "till and turn over the soil" which, as Dr. Thornton noted, is expected of each Howard student.
I would consider my English professor Ms. Walsh, and my Political Science teacher Ms. Kan, to be a representative thinker here at Howard. Unlike most professors every word that comes out their mouth isn't "Power to the People." They teach about the world and other cultures.
They aren't limited to just preaching about how African Americans are so great and their the best culture. I like that they don't confine in the fact that were at an HBCU. Many people feel like since were an HBCU we must focus on the African culture. Unfortunately, because
professors think that way, we arent exposed to other cultures as much as a school like Georgtown exposes their students to. They think beyond "us" and teach us to look as the world as a whole not just as an African American in the world. Students at Howard that does not
encounter one of these professors or someone like them will have a limited viewpoint and be so wrapped up in their own culture they will be ignorant to everyone else's. It is funny to me that both these professors are not of the black descent. One is Turkish and the other White. I believe that if more Afrucan American teachers would be more open to stop being so pro Afro-centic then they will open the minds of us students. As African American's all our lives we have looked on the world with a black perspective. We have showed resentment towards whites because of past events, we have seperated ourselves from the rest of the world, we have become ignorant of other cultures, we have relied on only our culture forgetting that humans must rely on each other. By seperating ourselves from the rest of the world and teacging our kids that we are the better culture we have just put more emphasis on racism. Instead of teaching us to be a good individual they teach us to be a good African American. By limiting us to one race they have done us disjustice. We need to look beyond our skin color. They always say skin color doesn't matter, but they continue to label us. If we would simply stop acknowledging the fact that we are black and their white then the difference wouldnt be so great. Ms. Kan and Ms. Walsh inspire me to "till and turn over the soil" because they too have faced racism and hardships, also not being natives of the land, yet they have managed to make a living for themselves. They have become professors at a well known institution and have made a difference in my life already. They have taught me a new way of thinking.

Our Political Discourse

When will the black community ever realize that education is mandatory and not just a resource that can be used.  Here at Howard, I believe that to be a part of the “best and brightest” you should first off find out what your reasoning is , your purpose, what you are planning on dedicating the rest of your life to, your major. Next while finding yourself and developing into someone that has restraint and strive to be someone better and helpful to society that you do take the right courses to tend to your success. Also I believe that your activity in your school and your surrounding community helps you become a better individual and when you have that resource then you are capable of achieving anything. Like Dr. Alvin Thornton addressed in his lecture that you have to keep up your grades not just because you want to be seen as hardworking but you want to get something out of educating yourself every day, getting knowledge that you are now paying for and make it worth it. Starting your higher education at Howard is already a good start you just need to “participate” in wanting to make a difference. Take your citizenship to another level.

To be a citizen of the world is a very vague perspective but there are many stepping stools that you can take to become someone that really matters and who is persevering to make a change in someone’s life besides their own. My citizenship informs me that I have a voice and that even though there are laws and rules but that I have the capability in breaking them in order to form a better nation. I honestly think that to be called a citizen period, being that we are all mainly African American , that we should use this advantage to want to do better for our people. I remember when there was a time when “we” were not even considered to be a human being. We as African Americans should take the word citizen and change its meaning.

Sorry to say, but I have not done my research on respectable Howard Alumni but I do know of Terrance Howard, Teraji P. Henson, and I few others who have attended this university and that have made a difference. I believe that they got the respects because they came to college and proved to everyone that they were not going to be another statistic; seeing how they are all successful, and now giving back and representing what Howard University is all about. Their art of work inspires me to become someone better, that everyone can look up to in a respectful and highly way. I tend to make a difference, I just do not know how I will, yet.

NY Burial Ground

This week's lecture was the best thus far. I have never been so engaged in any topic about my ancestors. Professor Mack deserves the acknowledgement for studying our ancestry when government officials have come and try to take away the bit of history we know about people of Africa descent.

            From about the 1690s until 1794, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6-acre burial ground in New York. Lost to history due to landfill and development, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 as a consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building.

            The remains of former Africans showed a sense of unity. They looked out for one another, which is rare nowadays. I was petrified of the skeletons of a mother and her unborn child. I marched to the white house this week, and the pain upon my feet was nothing compared to the cracked skulls of women who carried hundreds of pounds on their head. I cannot begin to feel the abuse of my ancestors. Although when we think of early African existence in the Americas as slaves, but all Africans were not enslaved. 

The Convocation

I feel to be an HBCU, a University has too have two qualities. The school's majority must be of African American descent, and the school must have been teaching African Americas for a significantly long time. The, Convocation is an example of of an event that is both. The Convocation I felt brought me too realization of how special and historical a University I am attending. Watching the professors and hearing the choir and band selection. I felt gave myself a sense of identity and link too all my students and friends around me. A link based in the pride of the University we all attend. In conclusion, throughout a life time you certain memories stand out; your first kiss, getting married, prom, graduation. For me, watching The Convocation, freshman year of college will standout too me because of the connection i felt while there with the rest of the student body.

Kwame Wutoh

African Burial in New York

Its crazy how our government, is supposedly set up too promote equal opportunity, and care for people of all ethnicities, however at the discovery of what should be a historical landmark,(The New York Burial Ground), is instead the used as the support for construction of buildings. People ancestors graves where disturbed and hampered with. The people of the burial ground are human records of what the lifestyle was for slaves. Their bodies hold answers too questions about some of the first slaves in the "New World". And the sight if not left in peace would be better used as a way too research, and least of all as the landscape of construction work. All in all, I feel that events such as this display how curropt our government still is. These, souls literally helped mold America into the powerful nation it is today, I feel it is appalling that those souls graves should be thanked for their work in such an disrespectful way.

Kwame Wutoh

New York Burial Ground

To be honest, I was not to fond of this weeks lecture about the New York Burial Ground by Professor Mack. Although he presented to the class a very defying topic, but as he told us about our ancestors and their remaining, there was not too much meaning to it. I still do not know why we have to learn about this, like what more can we do. The significance of the burial site was that all the remains were so defined in great detail to the point where you can see the dissimilar physical aspects of remaining but what exactly did that suppose to mean knowing this information. I understand that knowing this information should affect us in some way, shape, or form but I really did not get any overwhelming feeling in regards to this presentation, maybe it was just because of the instructor. Overall it was a respectable lecture but we should have had a better speaker with more definition in his teachings.

Nsibidi -Means love and unity, and indigenous form of writing aside from hieroglyphics

Asase Ye Duru- Divinity of the world, assembles wealth might and authority, reminds us of the importance of life

Medicine wheel -they were discover primarily by archeologist, sacred hoop, shows the belief in the interconnect of the world, the cyclicality of the nature, and the a understanding of the astronomical world

Tanit -the early African Muslims who have been here since the early 1600s

Yegba-One of the gods that was found in Nigeria and was bought to the western hem by enslaved Africans who continued the tradition. Also means the Guardian of the cross roads, also the trickster

In general, the impression of the entire monument is that it is history , our history at that, and that we could really learn something from this. Hopefully when I visit the monument I want to be empathetic to our ancestors who had to experience this tragic incident. I want to feel like I was once a part of it. I believe that Howard University was chosen to study this burial site because of many of our ethnic backgrounds, our enhanced educational knowledge on African American history, and the quality of our professor’s. Yes this has inspired me to become a part of this legacy because I want to matter, I want to be a part of something that is bigger than me, but that I can still make a positive effect on.

African Burial Ground

So of course after last week seminar I wanted to know more about the New York African Burial ground. So this week the entire lecture was about the New York African Burial Site. At the beginning of the lecture I expected to have no reaction as a scholar.  So when I first heard about the New York African Burial Ground. I expected for into to be this great monument remembering the African slaves. I was wrong they continued to build the buildings right over the graves of millions of Africans. I felt hurt and upset after this lecture. I felt that if that was any other ethnicity grave the government would have handled it in a different way. I mean the up side to this horrible crime committed by the United States government was the remains were sent to Howard University to be looked over. Now after realize the true facts of the burial ground I am even more excited about visiting on October 1^st. The lecture was truly very interesting. It made me ask the question of how many other African burial grounds have been ignored and build right over. This lecture was great and filled with a ton of information. I also watched the Ancestral rights of return. It was very interesting because it talked about the 490 African bodies been returned to the grave. It also talked about Howard University participation in looking over the bodies.

(Courtesy of google images)

Howard University Convocation 144 Years

(Courtesy of google images)

What is Convocation? This is the question I asked my roommate all day Wednesday and Thursday because that is when I realized one of my classes would be canceled. Then I realized it was mandatory for me to attend. So Friday morning I ate breakfast from the cafe. Then I headed to Convocation. After receiving the program I realized it was to celebrate Howard University’s One Hundred and forty-Four Years being open as a University. Now I can truly say I expected nothing from Convocation but of course I walked away with inspiration to be a better scholar. In the convocation they talked about the pass but put great importance on the present and future. The convocation orator was Michael L. Lomax he spoke about Historical Black Colleges and Universities as a group and how they are so important for the African American community. Covocation was not only about Howard University but the state of all HBCU's. It was also brought up how we will be the donors of Howard University once we are alumni.  When I left convocation I had no doubt Howard University is the school for me. The one thing I took from convocation is the past is the past and I must focus on the present and future. 

144th Opening Convocation

On Friday September 23, 2011, I attended my very first convocation. Before I attended, I didn't know what to expect. Upperclassman said that it was basically a blessing over the school year. My initial thought was why so late, then followed by that I thought: better late than never. I was curious to see what exactly it would consist of. I must admit that my curiosity was just that; a slight "I wonder what this is about," it wasn't a, "I'm so curious. I'm excited to go to another lecture." I suppose one could say that my excitement to go was little to none. With the little motivation I had (freshman seminar blog being the only true motivation), I rounded up several girls on my floor and we made our way to Cramton Auditorium. Since this is a so far honest blog, I must admit that I was a little late for the event. For when I woke up, even my little motivation didn't seem like enough to get me out of my comfortable bed. With all my will power I mustered up the strenghth to go. Not too far into the convocation, all of my negative energy had turned into positive energy. To my suprise I was actually understanding and relating to what orator, Micheal L. Lomax was saying. Overall, his point was that Howard's present student's and faculty can not rely on the past accomplishments. We can't continue to say that Howard is the best because of what happenED, we need to be able to say Howard is the best because of what is happenING. This point made me realize that our future must be greater than our past. We must continue the legacy. Another great point brought up was that the faculty must realize that the students sitting in their class are the next world leaders of the black community. We are the future so they must take that into account. He said that they should treat us with respect because we are Howard's future sponser's and donator's. When we leave and venture into our own lives we will be considered Howard alumni. The teaching's we learn matter and our accompolishments will reflect or education here at this institution. Reflecting back on the convocation I can say I'm glad my motivation (freshman seminar) was worth it.

African Burial Ground National Monument

The lecture given this week was unlike any other lecture before it. Instead of textual evidence, pictures were used to expalin the history and meaning of the sacred African Burial Monument. Professor Mack demonstrated great passion for the site which encouraged me to want to gain more knowledge as to why it was so important. Not only was I encouraged to gain more knowledge, but also to experience and see this sacred monument for myself. In general I learned a lot of background information on the burial site. At first I didn't completely understand the necessity and importance of the the burial ground, but not to far into the lecture it had clicked as to why it was so important. Reflecting back on the, a key idea that stood out to me was the fact that the bones of the slaves told so much history about their lives and living conditions. One bone could tell the story of someon's whole life. It became apparent to me why it was so amazing that
Howard researchers are the ones who were able to find and analyze these bones. They literally held history in their hands, and from it they were able to teach the world alot about slaves in that time period, especially ones that were located in New York. Not only did I learn the importance of the site, but I was also exposed to a deeper meaning behind just the actual bones. It was also reveled to me that the fact that African American slaves had the honor to be buried and not just dumped in a whole shows a sense of humanity towards the slaves; that's not to say that slave owners were nice, but it does show there was some type of relationship between them two. It also possible reveals that slaveowners knew that they hadn't treated the slaves fair during their life so the LEAST they could do, was to properly bury them and respect the work that they had done during their lifetime.

Digital Gallery Talk; Ancestral Rites of Return:
This short clip was basically explaining how sacred the burial ground truly is. The narrator LaShaya Howie said, "The reburial marked a victory for the African descending community. For those community members the reburial reclaimed the existing sanctity by restoring over the 400 ancestors who had been removed." I completely agree with this statement and it just shows how important the burial ground is to the world, specifically the African American community. She also commented on Howard a couple of times; Howard was the place they held the blessing ceremony of the spirits and Howard researchers spent 10 years analyzing the bones. Howard gave a tremendous contribution to the sacred monument and it reminds me of how Howard scholars greatly contribute to the human progression, especially the black culture. This is a great example of how scholars across various fields of study advanced and transformed academic knowledge related to enduring problems of the human condition.

The Memorial and It's Symbols:
Medicine Wheel

http://iw4da.org/products.html

Matie Masie

http://www.happyleopard.com/past_projects3.html

Akoma
http://destinationduafe.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/

Tanit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tunisia

Yowa

http://landofkam.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/why-is-kamta-kamitic-shamanism-and-the-maa-aankh-cosmogram-so-important-to-me/

Our Lost

Is what people make of African American history really reality ? Meaning that we have no history, no culture, no tradition, well Dr. Mano certainly pointed it out to me. We as human beings of course have many remenants as blacks but by us going through the Middle Passsage, we have forgotten it because we have not been reminded of it. Over the years we, as blacks have been imperialized, colonialized, to ways that has not been like our own. So subliminally but not directly, our culture and way of doing things  has been forgotten. Apparently it was lost but the main objective now should be about how we can get it pack, and find passages to be remember as one also.

In the lecture was confused me the most was that he adressed what roles African Americans had but he did not really point out the good reality of what the blacks experienced. As of right now, I am kind of stuck right now because even though he did deliver a prominant lecture , much of what he was saying was similar to the other main points that he was trying to address. With that said, it was hard for me to really write about this lecture in particular. One thing that did really catch my eye was when he began saying that blacks usuallly never have copulaor subject verb agreement, and for over generations, this scenario has not been looked at like that. We today just announce this kind of termonology as " slang ", in which is ok as long as you know when this type of lauguage is appropriate and when it is not.

On the other spectrum, Dr. Mano was correct when he assisted that the only culture or memiors that has been carried on from Africa or it's people consist of music, speech, food, religon, and art. Contrary to this being a fact, in most situations this is all that is carried on from another country or continent. In all respect, what else should be carried on?

Overall this was not one of the most interesting or mind blogging lectures that I have heard.

Abandonment and Dismemberment: “Something Torn and New”

This is my fifth week at Howard University. I am truly starting to get in the move of things. In freshman seminar this week the topic was Abandonment and Dismemberment: “Something Torn and New”.  This week in freshman seminar I really had no idea how the discussion would go. The discussion actually was good it went over the history of black people. It showed how some of the African culture was retained in African American culture. This lecture really talked about the African American culture and how we as a people are still so close to African roots.  Dr. Beatty showed how are African roots was not Dismembered just changed over the years. Another key part of this lecture was understanding that we as students must be the ones that define our culture. Rather than have someone else depict our history. The freshman seminar class will be going to New York African Burial Ground which I am super excited about seeing. I enjoyed the lecture again this week. All of the lectures or beginning to tie in with each other. So now I am wondering how this upcoming Monday lecture is going to be.

Abandonment and Dismemberment: "Something Torn and New"

After the lecture taught this week by Dr. Mario Beatty; I was left highly informed and eager for the next lecture to expand on the points that were made. Three keys points that stood out to me was idea of how Africans felt dismembered from their past life, their contribution to human progression using science and technology, and their creation of social structure, language, and self goverance. Dr. Beatty began the lecture by involving students so that they could understand the African people on an emotional level during their experience of slavery and whilethey were in the Middle Passage. We began to think of ways they became dismembered from their own culture. It is an obvious fact that they felt dismembered, but Dr. Beatty brought to our attention a less obvious fact: Africans were dismembered, but they didnt completely loose everything. They still had there hope and their faith. The way they danced, the way they sang, the stories they told never changed. Who they were as a people still remained. They were still strong and their bond only got stronger.
Historians define dimembermant as loss and emptiness, but it was argued that though they had these feelings, they were'nt severe enough to keep themselves from progressing. Despite their suppression they still were able to contribute to human progression showing their great strength. They made jobs for themselves and created the tools to do the jobs effieciently. They made their own musical instrustments, medicine, cultivated their own food, and made their own tools and supplies.
Not only did they contribute to science and technology, but they also created a lifestyle for themselves. I learned during the lecture that they created they own social structure; meaning they created roles of the people within their communities and the duties of that role. They also created a hierachy to create some sort of order within their culture. Finally, they used what they were taught (Christianity) and Re-Africanized the Christian religion to make it their own.
By considering all three points, I have concluded this fact: When taken away from the previous lives, Africans felt a sense of dismemberment form their culture. Thoughnthey experienced this natural emotion, despite what historians teach, they remained true to themselves, and ultimately took a horrible situation and made good of it. They learned to work together to create their own language, social stucture, technology, and science.

Abandonment & Dismemberment

 This week, Dr. Mario Beatty, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Afro American Studies at Howard University, was our guest speaker. In May 2008, he became the first African American to present a paper at the Tenth International Congress of Egyptologists in Rhodes, Greece. One of the foremost American students of Ancient Egyptian Language of his generation, Beatty has also mastered Hieratic, Demiotic and Coptic language, enabling him to conduct translations of texts that stretch between the nearly three thousand years of classical African history.

The Middle Passage

      Dr. Beatty discussed the Middle Passage. During 1492-1776 there were 6 ½ million people in the New World; 5 out of 6 were African. Africans were dispersed all over the Americas from Jamaica to the Caribbean.  
      We discussed the narratives of loss and emptiness.                               
 "When you are conceptualized as empty, you are filled with everything you encounter."- Mario Beatty.


      
    When our ancestors were brought to the Americas, they lost their culture and language. However, as throughout out history, they adapted. They practiced  Christianity because it was the Europeans religion. Africans took what they already knew about their God, and incorporated it into their faith in the New World.


Although many people try to denounce slang, it goes back to slavery. It was the only way our people knew how to communicate. Blacks were not allowed to get an education; our intelligence was a weapon against the enemy. 
   Many Africans created maroon communities, where the African culture was still intact. Europeans did their best to break them up.        



   The most important lesson of the lecture was that we must know our history, and conduct research on African history. If we don't take the initiative to do it, no one will.

Omoluabi: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility

    On Tuesday, Dr. Segun Gbadegesin focused on the true meaning of Omoluabi, which is broken down into the syllables Omo Olu Iwa Bi, a child begotten of the chief or source of Iwa. Dr. Gbadegesin started the lecture by telling the story of Iwa, who was the wife of Orunmila, the god of wisdom, and how she represented patience, existence, and good character. All of these characteristics tie into the meaning of Omoluabi. However, good character was the key word to remember. Hence, Iwa loba awure: good character is the greatest talisman. Iwa meant nothing without Orunmila. Dr. Gbadegesin went on to describe ways to develop good character, one being, correcting the common mis-educations This exemplifies the type of person that we all should strive to be. 


Most stories dealt with African ethics, which developed from The Principles of Maat, The Books of Instructions, The Pyramid Texts, or The Coffin Texts. Many religions we know of today have taken concepts from such texts. Example, the Ten Commandments shows resemblance to the Coffin Texts. This concept reveals the mis-education of blacks not having morality, in view of the fact that many character values today, have stemmed from the teachings of African stories.


The entire lecture was based around the concept of never to lose character, which are based around the principles of goddess Ma’at.
“Honor may vanish from your house

Cosmetic beauty may fade

Iwa is what endures even into the grave

Take care of your iwa”
– A Yoruba poem

     The Yoruba poem sums of the entire lecture. Its focal point is the construction of Iwa/ character, if nothing else. Even long after you leave Earth your name will always remain. 

     This lecture allowed me to reflect upon the value of my character and existence, as well as my role in society as a leader.

OMOLUABI: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility

This is my third week in freshman seminar. While my fourth week at Howard University. I can truly say freshman seminar is really big help. It constantly speaks on inspirational subjects. It is truly empowering for me to get through the week. The main three points of this week lecture was: character, service to self and others, and the human conditions. The character part of the lecture was the best part for me. It went past outer beauty and talked about the soul. It put great importance on you are as person. The second part was about service to self and others. This talked about how we as students must tech other what we know. We have information to share, not to withhold.  Then the third was the human condition. It talks about how we must understand the conditions of others to truly help them. This was also very big to me because it made me think. It made me think about the human condition as a group of people.  This lecture was a great start from last weeks because it showed us are responsibility as citizens of the world.