Group Presentation Reflections-Sierra Williams

Overall I think all of the presentations went very well. My group presented about the Artificial leaf, which in the future can be a source of energy to power cars and homes. Other things I learned about was education in Haiti. This presentation tied in the previous concept discussed which was culturally specific education. The death penalty being wrongly implemented and the program used to try and combat that was also presented very well. Each presentation was executed well. To change things I would have allowed more time for the presentations in terms of research time and presentation time so each topic could be discussed more indepth. I think the presentation format could have also been more complex and possibly included more technology and multimedia in order to get the point across. In general the presentations were implemented well.

Free Write-Princess

I believe I'm missing a free write so here it is.

My time at Howard has been nothing short of amazing so far. Having to balance NROTC and academics is extremely challenging. In fact, it's much more difficult than I originally thought it would be. I'm glad that I have the support of my family and friends, without whom I may have already given up. I'm looking forward to a great experience for the rest of my time here at Howard.

To be continued...

A Charge to Keep- Princess

During this lecture, Ms. Worthy described to us the cultural relevance of LEAP schools. To summarize, these are schools that cater specifically to the African American mindset to best assist the youth in learning. She is strongly against having white teachers educate black children because she sees a large cultural gap between us that cannot be bridged in such a setting. She stressed how even the smallest things, such as the tardy bell, all express eurocentric manners of thinking that are at odds with the way the African mind works. This "culturally relevant teaching" should greatly assist student learning because it aligns culture, psychology, and education in order to help students learn easier.

I have to question some of the material in this lecture, however. Immediately after class, I had to clarify a question I had with Ms. Worthy. I asked her if she was for the segregation of black and white students teachers in schools. She replied that she believes black people should teach "our babies" and white people should teach "their babies". She believes it is critical for white people to acknowledge themselves as the oppressors before we can move on from the past. I have to question this segregated system that she proposes just because it contradicts the very nature of Brown v Board of Education, a ruling that desegregated schools and eventually lead to better race relations.

-Princess Jenkins-Simlin

Semester Reflection

My first semester at Howard University was definitely one to remember. I've met a variety of people and had a few great and not so great experiences.

At the beginning of the semester my first blog was about how I couldn't see this course as holding any value in my life. I said that it would be a complete waste of my time. After taking the course, however, I must argue that the reverse is true. Despite being seemingly inconvenient, this course opened my mind to several different ways of thinking. For example, I understand many of my daily actions here at Howard as mbongis. Many aspects of the class can be converted to having legitimate purposes in one's daily life.

Throughout my time at Howard University, I have made what I hope to be lifelong friends. Everyone always told me that networking would be a valuable skill when I came here, and they were right.

Overall, I'm glad I chose the Mecca, despite having other opportunities. I'm honored to spend the next 3.5 years of my life here.

Princess Jenkins-Simlin

Self Reflection- Sierra Williams

Overall my first semester experience at Howard was an eye opener. It took some adjusting to but as time went on, I really grasped how to attempt to handle the work load, social life etc. Freshman Seminar has really taught me things that I can honestly say I didn’t know before. I learned a great amount of history about the African American, African, Caribbean and related cultures. I think it is important for people to learn and I like the idea of “mbongi” as physical and intellectual space.
“what you think belongs to you, what you say belongs to the public”. Everything that I have learned of the course has further point that education is the great equalizer. Freshman Seminar made the first semester and easier transition because it united the Freshman class, and created something that we would all have in common. Freshman seminar is a starting place, that has helped with my transition to the second semester.

Group Presentation Reflection -Princess

There was a group I enjoyed in particular that talked about the necessity of HBCUs in today's society. Despite the common misconception that they are unnecessary, they are proven to continue to help blacks be successful in this eurocentric country. A lot of what was shown in that presentation rang true for myself. For example, I chose to apply to only HBCUs because, having gone to primarily white and asian schools, I wanted to be around successful black people. It is extremely empowering to be around other black students who have similar goals.

I found the presentation about ebonics to be extremely interesting. I never thought of it as a separate language. I suppose that would explain many things about the unsuccessful education of the African American youth in our society. I'm still not entirely sure that I believe that idea because it seems so foreign to me. I'll have to look into it more.

The group presentations were overall rather interesting.

Princess Jenkins-Simlin

Isabel Wilkerson Discussion

On November 14th, I went to hear Isabel Wilkerson speak in Crampton Auditorium. Hearing her speak, helped me place into context many of the feelings and situations that occurred in The Warmth of Other Suns. She told us how she a long, uncomfortable journey with her parents, mirroring that of another person in her book. She used this example to further illustrate the desperation people felt in trying to get out of the South. She also talked about how the Migration drastically changed history. Without it, many our parents wouldn't have met. She even went so far as to say that Michael Jackson and events such as the Harlem Renaissance would be nonexistant had it not been for the Great Migration.

Wilkerson brought up what I believed to be a very interesting fact. Many people believed black people were lynched when a white woman would lie about being raped or for trying to steal to survive. This was, however, not the case for the majority of black lynchings and beatings. Apparently, the number one thing to get black people lynched was the accusation of "acting white", something that could imply anything. She gave the example of how a man was severely beaten for asking for the receipt of a water bill that he had just payed.

Princess Jenkins-Simlin

English Common Text evening with Isabel Wilkerson- Sierra Williams

One of the main points that Isabel Wilkerson talked about was he inspiration for the book and why she wrote it in the first place. Isabel Wilkerson was a product of the Great Migration. He parents both migrated to Washington, DC, and met at Howard University. Wilkerson made a point to say that “if it wasn’t for the Great Migration and Howard University, I would not be around.” That is something I didn’t know before going to the talk with Isabel Wilkerson.
Another point Wilkerson made was to describe in depth the details about the Great Migration. It was the migration of six million African Americans from the South to the North for better opportunities.
Something that I thought was very interesting was that people really came from all over during the Great Migration. She said that it affected every single family for the most part. I didn’t think that it affected my family. My father is from the West Indies and my mother from Philadelphia, but then I thought back further and I remember that my Great Grandmother was from the south. The Great Migration was a good thing , because it benefited many families.
The talk with Isabel Wilkerson impacted my understanding, by thinking deeply about how these are true stories that can connect to many people from all over.

Amber Spencer: Common Text evening with Isabel Wilkerson

I attended the Isabel Wilkerson event on Monday, November 14. I am very grateful that I was able to attend. This event gave me better understanding of the book, The Warmth of Other Suns, as well as helped me understand the period of time that the events in the novel took place.
One thing that Isabel Wilkerson stated that stuck out to me, was how without the Great Migration, many things and people that exist today would not have come about. For example, she spoke about the cultural aspects that would not be available such as certain types of music as well as people that we may even know personally. Without this Great Migration, I would not even be here right now. The fact that she made this point allowed me to be more grateful and respectful to my ancestors who gave up so much for a better life.
Also, she mentioned how passing a white motorist was illegal and you could get lynched for that. I was appalled at this fact. It was definitely a major eye-opener. I always knew that African Americans would get lynched for reasons that they should not have, but not being able to pass someone else on the road, no matter how slow they may be traveling, seems ridiculous. It disgusts me that African Americans were punished so harshly for such small things.
I am extremely thankful to the sacrifices my ancestors made for me. I am also thankful that Isabel Wilkerson wrote such a well-written and intriguing book that allowed my eyes to be opened to an interesting topic.