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.