Power of Young People Dr. Alton Pollard, III

Young people have power as great as those of our ancestors, and often even greater.
They should learn from elders who used their power such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scot King, and Nelson Mandela.
These and the many others not mentioned have paved smoother roads for us, the young African people. Things would not been the same if they had not used their courage to have a voice. Opportunities would not have been so many for the African community. However, we must acknowledge that the mission is not complete. WE have to continue from where our elders, poets, and independence leaders have left off. We, the young people, must continue their legacy.

Today hip hop, R and B, and rap are some of the music genres mostly controlled by African Americans and associated with that sub-group in the US. Often, these artistes are the heroes and 'leaders' of the youth by popular culture. But is their message serving to encourage re-birth in the African society? Is it the same fight that our ancestors have fought for?.. The answer is 'no', far more times than it is 'yes'.

So where is the error and what can be done to get back on track??


Once again, it lies in the hands of the youth. Only in our lifetime and that of future generations can real change be done. The youth need to find and prize the truth of who we are and who we aren't. We need to know where we came from. We appreciate that music is part of us, but need to be weary of what we listen to. Violence and crudity is tainting the beauty of our music, and only we could take a stand. WE have the power to change the way we think of ourselves, by not submitting to what everyone else thinks and says we are.

BLACK POWER MOVEMENT

Howard Thurman and the Ancestors Dr. Alton Pollard, III

A quote by Howard Thurman that I found inspiring:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."


Howard Thurman was very active in Howard University's history. Other ancestors who where explored in the lecture as  legacies of Howard University included Jarena Lee and Sojourner Truth

Howard Thurman (1899 – April 10, 1981) was an influential American author, philosopher, theologian, educator and civil rights leader

Thurman was selected as dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University in the District of Columbia in 1932. He served there from 1932-1944.

Thurman traveled broadly, heading Christian missions and meeting with world figures such as Mahatma Gandhi. When Thurman asked Gandhi what message he should take back to the United States, Gandhi said he regretted not having made nonviolence more visible as a practice worldwide and suggested some American Black men would succeed where he had failed.

 Howard Thurman's poem 'I Will Light Candles This Christmas' 

I will light Candles this Christmas; 

Candles of joy despite all sadness, 

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch, 

Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, 

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, 

Candles of love to inspire all my living, 

Candles that will burn all the year long.

"In the conflicts between man and man, between group and group, between nation and nation, the loneliness of the seeker for community is sometimes unendurable. The radical tension between good and evil, as man sees it and feels it, does not have the last word about the meaning of life and the nature of existence. There is a spirit in man and in the world working always against the thing that destroys and lays waste. Always he must know that the contradictions of life are not final or ultimate; he must distinguish between failure and a many-sided awareness so that he will not mistake conformity for harmony, uniformity for synthesis. He will know that for all men to be alike is the death of life in man, and yet perceive harmony that transcends all diversities and in which diversity finds its richness and significance." From The Search For Common Ground; An Inquiry Into The Basis Of Man's Experience Of Community.

Research and Methodology: Inscription as a Liberating Practice Dr. Dana Williams

This power point talks of the importance and usefulness of research. In essence, it says that research, when done conscientiously and sincerely, can lead on one on an intellectual journey on like any other. But what exactly are the steps to performing research on such a level as to produce such a “journey?” According to the power point, there are six main entities in research. The first is the Statement of the Problem/Challenge, where one identifies the purpose of the research and the fine tunes the research question. This is followed by the Literary Review in which one studies other similar writings and the way one’s piece will develop on those ideas. Thirdly one should begin to formulate how information and data will be gathered – a Methodology must be devised. After creating a Methodology, one must come up with a Framework for the structure and the presentation of the project and data. One must then state a thesis that he/she came up with, and provide evidence supporting that thesis. Lastly one must conclude by stating new information uncovered from the research, the limitations in conducting the research and what future studies can be taken on the research topic. The power point also shows the application the research process to a relevant class topic which further clarifies the concept doing proper research – it fluently coagulates and concludes the ideas.

OMOLUABI: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility Dr. Segun Gbadegesin

In this power point, Dr. Gbadegesin speaks about the word, “Omoluabi,” which describes a person of character.  The presentation starts off with reference to ancient theology and philosophy. Dr. Gbadegesin focuses for a while on the Principles of Ma’at. These were guidelines by which the ancient Egyptians lived their lives, and it governed their society, laws and the way they interacted with each other and nature. The Principles of Ma’at was their ‘ten commandments.’ Also spoken of the is the Instructions of Ptahhotep and it is at this point that the word “character” is first mentioned in the power point.  We see that “character” holds great significance in meaning of this presentation. Omoluabi describes a person character, and, as we read on, it becomes clear that in this case “character” is equivalent in meaning to “integrity.” Also stated is that such a person has earned the respect of his community and peers through the integration of his education into his service to the community. It is then shown that “iwa,” which can be implied to mean “good character,” is central to many aspects of life including true beauty and religion. From here, Dr. Gbadegesin goes on to talk about the purpose of education and, by describing the commanding power of education in following slide, he manages to paint a picture of the fragility and acuteness of its impact on society. He finishes with description of the totality of university education, and the idea of the “Omoluabi” then fully comes together in a real sense.