Research and Methodology: Inscription as Liberating Practice

During this lecture Dr. Williams explained to us the components of Research and Methodology. She stated that the components of research are statement of the problem or challenge, current state of research, methodology, framework, development of the thesis, and conclusion. Dr. Williams also encouraged all students to “pursue a lifetime of independent discovery”. Dr. Williams also discussed the goals of freshman seminar. This lecture will truly help me throughout the rest of my years at this university. I know I will encounter many more research projects and may even do research over the summer and now I better understand the different components of research.

"Omoluabi:" Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility

During this lecture, Dr. Gbadegesin introduced us to the talking drum. This is an instrument that is used to communicate across the land. It has different tones which can be used to determine different things. Nobody really knows what the talking drum is saying except the person who is playing it. Then he told us the story Iwa. It was about a man named Orunmila (God of Wisdom) who was married to Iwa (who stood for existence/character) and he treated her wrong so she left him. Then Orunmila traveled with the talking drum looking for Iwa, whom he found and they got back together. The moral of the story was to respect women and to not take anything for granted. Then Dr. Gbadegesin told us about the Principles of Ma’at and the Instructions of Ptahhotep, which he said helped to lay the basis of the Ten Commandments. This was yet another lecture which showed me how Africans set up the basis for a modern day concept. This lecture also taught me a lot about character, I especially drew a lot from the store.

Practice of Freedom and Justice: Representative Thinkers

In this lecture, Dr. Pollard spoke a lot about religion and he began to put a lot of things into perspective for me. He described religion as a phenomenon of humans with the sacred or divine. He took the idea of religion back to when the Africans first arrived on the North American continent. The Africans entered the new world with their own culture, which helped developed the African American belief system. The modern African American belief system is based on equality and freedom. Then Dr. Pollard said that the definition of freedom has changed throughout the years based on the place where society is at the time. Modern thoughts about freedom consist of social, political, and economical justice. Then he went into description about African Americans who were pioneers. People like Howard Thurman, Jerena Lee, and Sojourner Truth. This lecture made me think about exactly how ideas of freedom have changed throughout the years. I thought about how back in the 60’s freedom was more about equal rights for all races and how now freedom is more about people being able to live the way they want without having to fear prosecution.

The Eloquence of the Scribes: Initiation, Expectations and Mastery - Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

During this lecture, Dr. Benjamin broke down exactly how Howard University was established. She told us about the greatness that has left an impact on the university. We were also told about the great people who the buildings are named for. Dr. Benjamin also told us about how the first writers were from Africa. They were called scribes. This lecture inspired me to become another one of those great names that were produced from this university. They left a pathway for us current students to follow, and that’s what I am determined to do. There are so many legacies in this university. It would just be wrong to not take part in becoming one.

Abandonment, Dismemberment and Reawakening : The History and Legacy of Howard University

In this lecture, Dr. Dunston spoke to us about how the human genome connected the people of today to our African ancestors. How the remnants of great educators and philosophers of the past have been passed down to us, even though we don’t even realize it. The human genome is a very powerful thing. Not only does it determine our outward appearance, but who we are as people too. Knowing what greatness our genomes descended from should inspire people to continue their work. My generation is the ones who will continue the work that those today are doing, which Dr. Dunston stated. She encouraged many of us to always continue to pursue knowledge and continue research. It truly would help better the world we live in.

Learning Wisdom and The African World Experience: An Mbongi

In this lecture, Dr.Carr went in depth about how Africa set up the basis for society as we know. These things are usually kept out of the basic history books and aren’t acknowledged publically often. Dr. Carr also introduced the class to many Africana words, Sankofa being one of them. What this means is “go get it” which is an inspiring message to me. This means you have to go for whatever you want, nothing is going to come to you easily. This includes the pursuit of knowledge, which Dr. Carr stressed. In Africa as the basis for society was being created, education was stressed. It was the most important thing. Now, education is taken for granted and people just don’t seem to care about it at all anymore. So as African-Americans, we must emphasize the need for a better education and the pursuit of knowledge. This lecture has truly inspired me to learn more about my African roots and go beyond what the school books teach me. If I want to learn more about a subject, I must go get the information.

The Eloquence of the Scribes: Initiation, Expectations and Mastery – Continuing the Legacy of Howard University

Dr. Benjamin discussed the importance of scribes in ancient Africa throughout history. Stating that the first writers were in fact from Africa. He went in depth with pictures and history of scribes that came out of Africa. Dr. Benjamin then went on to introduce the founder of the University General Oliver Otis Howard and the history of the names behind important buildings on campus. For example, Locke hall was named after Alain Leroy Locke who was a famous professor at Howard University who was regarded as the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance".