Afican Burial Grounds:A Trip to Remember by Antillio Lee

October 2^nd was definitely a day that I will never forget. It’s one of the very few days in my life where I actually was up close and personal with my own African American history and heritage. Upon awaking that morning on the bus, I was slammed immediately with just the rich heritage and culture of New York itself. Watching sellers and pizza delivery bikers in the freezing cold, hustling for better life, was motivation itself to me,  motivation for not only change for my life, but for African Americans everywhere. After departing the bus Dr. Carr introduced us to the sacred burials underground that was just a small symbolization of the vast amounts of blacks that were buried at that very site. Shortly after his introduction, Dr. Carr then proceeded to pour water and recite prayers, in respect to our African American ancestors and their struggle.

Inside the grounds were just absolutely mind blowing. The amount of history and pain that single ground harbored was something I totally was not prepared for. From the documentary of the process of how the burial grounds came about, to the artifacts and models that were exhibited, it was then, at that moment, that I began to actually FEEL the pain and struggle those before my felt as well. Afterwords we ran into our own, Howard alum, who was also a guide for the grounds. She and Dr. Carr led our group through the momentous work of the grounds architect, relaying to us the connection between it and our rich legacy.

This trip to New York, to my African Burial grounds was a trip both unexpected and ground breaking. The information that I received from it will be at the pinnacle of MY motivation for change of ANY inequality against MY people.   

African Burial Ground Trip by Russell Grandberry

On October 2nd, i went to sleep on a bus at Howard. Four hours later i woke up in Manhattan. Waking up to towering skyscrapers and reflective glass buildings isn't something that I'm used to. I was born and raised in Tennessee, so our only skyscrapers are downtown. The bus ride there, however, was only half of the journey. After waking up in downtown Manhattan, we got off the buses and proceeded to the Federal Building.

To start off the trip, Dr. Carr had the group gather around him in a circle. He talked to us about our ancestor's long voyage across the water, and the things that our families had to sacrifice to get us to Howard. We then began a ceremony of paying respect to our ancestors. We poured out water for them, and spoke the word Ashte (sp). After we went inside of the federal building to see the exhibit.

When we first arrived in the federal building, they directed us toward a small theater room. In the room they showed us a short documentary of the African burial ground. The documentary talked about the discovery of the burial ground, and how outraged the black citizens of the community were when they learned the news. The documentary also talked about the protest and marches that the community held to ignite change. The documentary also talked about Howard University and the roll that we played in helping research the bones.

In the exhibit itself, there were a variety of different things. They showed tools used by slaves that may have been buried with them after death. The exhibit contained pictures of the bodies that were uncovered. The exhibit not only showed us how many bones were found, but the also told us of the discriminatory treatment of the slaves who essentially built New York.

Overall going to New York was a great experience. The trip helped me get in touch with my ancestors more, and required me to think about my heritage. Howard students come from so many different places from all over the country, but in the end we are somehow connected, and the trip taught me that. It also gave me a time to thank my ancestors for all they had done and the opportunity that i was given to make a change in the world

African Burial Ground Trip by Jordan Henry

                On October 16, our freshman seminar class traveled to Manhattan to visit the African Burial Ground.  Before going on this trip I did not know what to really expect or how to feel.  I thought we were just going to go to a boring museum where we would probably be lectured, but I definitely had a huge change of perspective after the trip. 

                When were first arrived to the African Burial Ground we were given a lecture by Dr. Carr.  I noticed a number of graves along the sides with flowers lying on top of them.  Dr. Carr explained that those graves belonged to actual slaves that once lived in New York.  He also told us that there were hundreds of other slaves buried under were we stood as well.  He then offered respect by pouring water and chanting prayers to our ancestors that suffered so much just so we could have the opportunities that we are fortunate enough to have today.  We introduced to our tour guide who went into great depth about the history and significance of the ground were all standing on.  He showed us a memorial that displayed symbols and meanings that were created by the African culture.

Our tour guide also explained that over a few decades ago, hundreds of African slave remains were found under the ground of where a company was trying to do construction over.  African Americans from all over were outraged by this, so many began to protest and march to save these sacred grounds of our ancestors.  The company was eventually sued and the African American community was able to save the land.  Some of the remains of these slaves were sent to Howard University to be studied and they were able to discover things like the age, sex, and physical conditions of the slaves when they died.  Studies showed that many died young from sickness and from being overworked.  This information was proven when we were lead into a room to watch a documentary about the rituals of slave burials and we saw scenes from the actual African Burial Trials.  We then went into the museum where we looked at the different things such as New York State slave laws and actual traps used to capture slaves in Africa.

The whole trip was depressing in a way, but very positive at the same time because it made me very proud to come from a people that fought so hard just so our generation could have the opportunities that we had today.  It definitely opened and I now have a whole new perspective on my ancestors and my history.  I have the upmost respect for those individuals who came before me and I interested to study more about the African culture. 

Reminiscing, Reliving and Respecting by Mobosola Asanpaola

  Before going to New York for the African Burial Ground trip, I didn't know what to expect when i got there. I mean, yes we had heard about it on numerous occasions, but hearing and expecriencing are two different things. The thing that i would say capture me the most about hearing was that people seriously forgot about 15,000 bodies that happened to be lying under one of the worlds busiest and influential cities. I just could not wrap my head around it. Sadly, it made me realize the lack of respect for life, and how easily one can be forgotten after death if someone does not make it their priority to preserve their memory.
  When first entering the Burial Ground there is not much to give meaning to what your looking at to the uneducated eye. Frankly, I didn't want to touch anything because I wasnt sure what meaning it held or what it represented. In no way shape or form did i want to be disrespectful to the memory of those who had come way before me. So, i waited and listened to hear about what i was looking at and the signifigance it held. Listening to Dr. Carr speak passionately about all those who had influenced the presence of the Burial Ground intrigued and pulled me in to want to hear and learn more. But, when he put the tour into the hands of the tour guide the experience took new way. When we are asked to stand as close together as we could most people did not budge. But he insisted that we squeeze together so that there was no more space in the monement on those of us who could not fit were literaly on top of each other. I would concluse that most of us did not know why he was asking us to stand so close together, I mean I was cold but I wasn't trying to have all these people all up in my space. But, I obliged. Then the guide asked that we close our eyes, some people opted to keep their eyes open and listen intently instead, like myself. Listening, i heard him ask us to use our imaginations and take us back to a slave ship, where we would be standing as close as we were at that moment and for some closer. he asked us to relive the moment of a slave who was being ripped from their homeland seperated from the ones that they love to go to a place where your destination was unclear. To imagine the horrid screams of a pregnant woman attempting to give birth under impossible conditions. The foul stench of the dead body chained next to yours. And i imagined just as he asked. Suddenly, i didn't feel the cold of the cool October day. instead I felt claustrophobic and suffocated from imagining the heat all those bodies would give off. I could feel a sense of fear sitting like a rock in the middle of my chest. Then I wondered how those who made it did. Thrust into a group of people with different cultures and different languages, the only communication you had in common was the fear in your eyes.
  As my imagination relived what i was hearing I was constantly interupted by some around me who did not have the same respect that i had for where i was. Even though we are college students there were still people who groaned and complained about what the guide was saying by claiming, "Oh no that was too much" or "That couldn't have been me." These comments irritated me to no end because if they would close their mouths and stop thinking about themselves for 30 minutes they would have realized that the very people we were standing there to honor already did it for them. It shows me that the image and heart for sacrifice that reigned in the hearts of generations before me as escaped some people in my generation. But the comments that took the cake of what i  would like to call the Ignorance Awards would be to the person who thought it would have been more appropriate to take a trip out to Brooklyn, specifically Marcy Projects, to as she said, "see where Jay-Z is from" followed by another person who thought a more useful trip would have been to Bad Boy, because as she said "I'm trying to get discovered." I thought i was upset then. But 2 days later writing I'm still disgusted. I'm from New York and i have never heard of anyone wanting to take a field trip to Marcy Projects. Last time i checked the projects was something you try to get out of not visit for fun. And as for getting discovered at Bad Boy, sweetheart Diddy would not have even existed if it was not for those who died for people like him to be sucessful and get to such great magnitudes today.
  So in conclusion I would say that just being in the atmosphere of the burial ground and looking at the pictures of bones that were dug up moved me and made me apprectiate more the slaves of so many years ago. The respect I had before I went to the burial ground grew as I left. When hearing the rude and ignorant comments of some college students around me I was bewildered. My hurt hearts for the 15,000 bodies that were so easily forgotton over time, and whose memory is so easily disregareded today. Their spirits motivate me to  be the best human being that i can, because they as well as generations to come would pay dues for me to have a better future. So I am living off the fruits of someone elses labor, as a time will come for me to pay dues and make sacrifices for the generatioons that come after me.

Components of Research by Michelle Harris

     Dr. Dana Williams lectured our class on the topics of research and its basic components.  She broke down the method of research into six components:  statement of the problem, review of what's been said, methodology, framework, development of thesis, and conclusion.  She used Freshman Seminar as a case study and elaborated on how each component of the class was used as a component of research.  She also explained the goal of this course,, which is to facilitate our awareness of the rich history of African peoples throughout the Diaspora.
 
     Dr. Williams' lecture was extremely helpful because it taught us how we should go about our research question and also how to research it.  She gave us a clear outline of how we should look for information and how to organize it.  I like this lecture the best because it helped us to know what is expected of us in order to pass this class.  In other words, it helped us to help ourselves.

Iwa by Michelle Harris

    Dr. Segun Gbadegesin, Professor of Philosophy and associate Dean of Humanities discussed with us the importance of Iwa, which means existence.  He started off the lecture with a great influential story about the journey of Iwa.  He also spoke on Omoluabi, which is the individual who has character, knowledge, discipline and wisdom.  He even elaborated on the principles of Ma'at, and the coffin texts.  The principles of Ma'at were principles that the ancient egyptians lived by, and the coffin texts contained themes of reward and punishment in the afterlife.

    Dr. Gbadegesin closed his lecture in a very effective way in my opinion.  He used a Yoruba poem which basically told us to take care of our "Iwa":  "Honor may vanish from your house, Cosmetic beauty may fade, Iwa is what endures even into the grave."  I have a deeper appreciation for my Iwa.

The Power of Young People by Michelle Harris

      Dr. Alton B. Pollard lectured on Civil Rights, Hip-Hop and Hope.  He spoke on the many leaders before us such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, Septima Clark, Malcom X, Coretta Scott King, and Nelson Mandela.  He discussed how they paved the way for the youth of today.
 
      He made this lecture interesting by using the key element of communication; Music, to relate to us.  He showed us the leaders of the early Hip-Hop culture and discussed the rappers of our generation.  In comparison, the rappers of early Hip-Hop clearly had more meaning behind their music.  They rapped about what they believed in and stood up for something.  Dr. Pollard also went on to address the representation of Hip-Hop in our generation and stated that we have no movement to stand behind.

     I can greatly appreciate this lecture because it was directly aimed toward our particular age group and deals with Music, which is a universal language of expression.  I completely agree with Dr. Pollard's message.  Our generation has no type of movement or strong and positive representation whatsoever.  As young people we need to live and stand behind something rather than just exist and waste our potential to positively impact the future.

The Scribe by Michelle Harris

   Dr. Tritobia K. Benjamin discussed with us the importance of Scribes.  She said that scribes are important to continue history, as it passes on knowledge of the past.  She went on to inform us of ancient scribes, especially those that represented Howard University.  Through various pictures and quotations, she described almost every building on Howard's campus, who the buildings were named after and what legacy these important figures hold.

       I thought it was a very informative and interesting lecture.  It was very interesting to learn why and how the buildings on Howard's campus were named.  From the dormitories, to the Administration building, to the libraries and the many buildings where classes are held, I feel that I know a lot more about Howard's long and prestigious history than I did before.

The Genome by Michelle Harris

     Dr. Georgia M. Dunston lectured our class and informed us about the importance of our Genome.  She connected knowledge and biology in such a unique way by relating it to our human identity.  The genome makes the individual, and everyone's genome is different from everyone else's by .1%.  This percentage may seem low, but it makes a remarkable difference.  Not even twins have the same genome.  She also went on to talk about how our genome shapes the way we think, dress, act and carry ourselves and without the genome individuality is lost.
  
     Dr. Dunston held my attention throughout the entire lecture.  She was very inspiring and passionate, which made it very easy to follow her.  She also provoked a deeper level of thought within myself, as I began to think of just how unique my individuality truly is.  Usually we just live day to day without truly understanding or appreciating how different we are from one another.  This lecture made me more conscious of how I carry myself and how I should watch what I say, as my words represent who I am.  Overall, I really enjoyed Dr. Dunston's lesson and I have a greater appreciation for my individuality.

Our African Origin by Michelle Harris

          In this lecture, Dr. Carr enlightened us on our deep rooted history.  He not only was an effective speaker, but he also made me want to know more about my African origins.  Our African origins started in Egypt.  He discussed how our memory has been buried due to our relocation from our origins, and that education is key to not only remembering but "re-membering" our history.
        
       Dr. Carr spoke of the many pathways, such as Djehuty: which represents Memory and Inscription and is the principle of intelligence, memory, writing, learning, and wisdom, the Pathway of Seshat: which represents Numeracy, and accepts accuracy, reliability and preservation of knowledge, and the Pathway of Ma'at: representing order, balance, truth, justice, and reciprocity.  Dr. Carr also went on to explain that in Egypt, beauty was not based on outer appearance, it was based off of how well an individual spoke and carried themselves, and that education meant to translate life.
      
      I appreciated this lecture because it taught me more about our history as a people and it goes deeper than I could have ever imagined.  There was a quote from Langston Hughes in the power point that stood out to me:  "Justice is a blind goddess, Is a thing to which we Blacks are wise:  Her bandage hides two festering sores, That once perhaps were eyes."  What I have learned from this lecture is that knowledge is not only the key to success, but also the key to ourselves because it opens our eyes to who we truly are and where we came from.

Research Developement by Russell Grandberry

Sometimes we know what information we are looking for, but we don't know how to find it and put it together. Dr. William's presentation not only taught us how to research a topic, but it also showed us how to organize our information.When you know how to research it makes finding valuable information much easier. Last week Dr. Williams Outlined our projects for freshman seminar. She taught us how we should organize our questions so that we can find the answers we're looking for.Dr. Williams clearly explained our objectives for Freshman Seminar. Explaining the purpose of the class and helping us set a goal for the end of this semester. After, she showed us the basic components of research. 

Dr. William’s lecture was very helpful. I believe she had the easiest to read and organized slideshow out of all our presenters. She Outlined exactly what each group is supposed to do. She also showed us the dates that our groups will present. Her slideshow went very well with her presentation. She had pictures, and explained them. She had charts and outlines, which made the presentation visually pleasing and easy to follow. Overall I would give her and A+ for her presentation.

My Iwa by Russell Grandberry

Iwa, it means existence.Dr. Gbadegesin came to talk to our class about this word, which before hand I had never heard in my life. In Ancient Egypt, Dr. Gbadegesin told us, Iwa wasn't just something to be said. Iwa was a way of life. Dr. Gbadegesin oppened up the lecture by paying homage, homage to the room we were in, homage to the ancestors, and homage to the world. He explained to us that when we enter any room we should pay homage. This is how the ancient Egyptians did everything, by paying homage to the earth,and living Iwa. Dr. Gbadegesin also spoke of Omoluabi. Dr. Gbadegesin told us that Omoluabi were the individuals, that had wisdom and knowledge and character and discipline as well.

                Dr. Gbadegesin's presentation was very descriptive. He showed me, like the other presentors, many words i did not know. I had never before thought about paying homage to the room that i walked in. Something as simple as saying thank you to the walls that hold a roof over my head. It could be as simple as saying thank you to the ground that keeps my feet steady and level. Dr. Gbadegesin's lecture not only help me realize that sometimes we take the world for granted, but also we have forgotten to appreciate the simpler things in life. In todays world, society is about fashion and status, but if we accept the things we dont have, and appreciate the things we do, the world could be a better place.

The Importance of Research with Freshman Seminar by Antillio Lee

Knowing how to find your information, in some cases, can be just as, if not more, important than the information itself. Knowing how to research, with all methods, is incredibly vital in the success of your efforts. Last week Dr. Williams placed that in perspective for the COAS freshman class. Firstly Dr. Williams stressed the objectives of Freshman Seminar, providing us the students, with a clear cut goal for all of our motives this semester. She soon followed this up with the basic components of research, components such as the current state of research and the frameworks. Dr. Williams tells the student exactly what needs to be researched and how, so each student will quickly and effectively be able to find all the CORRECT information that is needed. After these helpful slides of information, Dr. Williams presents the Freshman Seminar class in its entirety as a case study. Telling in detail what needs to be done from this semester in order to lead into “The Vision”, expected goals.

Overall I would say Dr. William’s lecture was the most imminent help yet. Outlining exactly what needs to be done from me and my group in order to succeed this semester. I highly enjoyed the lecture and can’t wait to begin working with my group in efforts to make these visions of 2010 Freshman Seminar a reality.

Finding Iwa by Antillio Lee

Iwa, or existence, was a word that my vocabulary had never had the pleasure of meeting before Dr. Gbadegesin. Iwa for the Egyptian culture was than just a word, it was their lives. Praising gods and raising children all in the light of their Iwa. Omoluabi, a child begotten of the chief of iwa, is another new comer to the vast pages of my terminology. According to Dr. Gbadegesin sources, Omoluabi were THE individuals, not only of wisdom and knowledge but of character and discipline as well; an individual who embodies all fundamentals of life.

                Dr. Gbadegesin started his lecture by providing names of those who were worshiped way before the historical mundane figures that we all know of today. He spoke of Egyptian legends such as The Goddess of Ma’at and Pharaoh Amenemope, names that were unheard of to most ears in the audience.  He then spoke of the great texts that these figures embodied, such as The Pyramid & Coffin Texts, and The Books of Instruction. Blending the figures of the ancient world with their teachings and principles, that was followed by the masses. Following that Dr. Gbadegesin dives into the relationship between the ancient Egyptian world and the African world, linking Iwa to the principles of the African lifestyle; providing examples of how Iwa shapes all fundamentals of life, in efforts of education. The key to life is un-doubtly education and Dr. Gbadegesin’s presentation is a prime example.

Preparing for Research by Mobosola Asanpaola

Dr. Dana Williams has been  with our freshman seminar class from the begining. She has helped to direct us answer our questions and sitt in on every lecture that I've been to. From my observation she is one of the professors i can associate in a group of those who have been dedicated to the sucess of freshmen seminar. This week it was finally her turn to speak. She brought us back to the original pupose of the freshman seminar class. She was extreemly imformative about the numerous ways we could go about doing our research. Dr. Williams also took the time to break down the steps of our research such as identifying and stating the problem and/or challenge. It made me contemplate the realisticness of my groups research question and what tools we would need to throughly address it. There were also other steps that including the thesis and conclusion.
She also gave examples of the various ways that we could actively present our project. Would it be best to do a powerpoint, write a  plain paper, give handouts to the class, or just verbally deliver without any props. The purpose of our research question and project is to educate one another. Dr. Williams pointed out that we ourselves as a class were finally understanding the purpose of the class. Through the readings of some peoples blog  I was able to see that each person was able to take something diffent from each speakers lecture. People wrote from all different perspectives and was interesting to see the different ways people went about blogging. It even motivated me to get even more personal with my own blogs.

Protecting Iwa by Mobosola Asanpaola

Listening to the lecture of Dr. Segun Gbadegesin brought me back to the stories and proverbs my parents would pass down to me from their childhood. Also growing up in Nigeria my parents told me of the times they would sit in the compound and tell stories. Before this lecture i thought nothing of what my parents were telling me, i took them as what they were stories. But being older now and listening to Dr. Gbadegesin I realize they are much more. Its a form of paying homage to those who came before you and learned before you. Dr. Gbadegesin even took the time to do that; pay homage to those who spoke before him, his ancestors, those who wil come after him, the Class of 204, and the list goes on.
The story of Iwa really struck something in me. It reiterated the importance of staying true to myself as well as challenging me to protect the very essence of who I am, to not compromise it for anything or anyone. Iwa was said to be a beautiful woman who was sought after by Orunmila. Orunmila wanted to marry Iwa and she agrred under one condition, that he not drive her crazy. Orunmila agreed. But, Orunmila did not stick to the promise instead he took Iwa for granted and chastised her for evrything that she did. When Iwa decided that she had enough and left him his life began to go down hill, as good fortune left him along with Iwa. In desperation to gain himsrlf and all the blessings tht he previosly had, Orunmila sought out Iwa. When Iwa came back to him his good fortune returned and he was whole again.
Iwa represents one's character and existance. If you loose it and do not protect than you become empty and what is an empty person useful for. Dr. Gbadegesin also said, "Anyone who does not have good character, what they have belongs to someone else." When you sit and truly think about that quote, it is entirely too true. If your not a good person and don't have a good heart eventualy what you have sewn will come back to you tenfold.

Research and Methodology by Jordan Henry

  

Today’s lecture was by Dr. Dana A. Williams and she is the Professor and Chair of English at Howard University.   Her lecture was based on the topics of Research and Methodology. She also explained the purpose of Howard University’s freshman seminar class.

            The goal of the freshman seminar class is to pursue a lifetime of independent discovery including the appreciation and the importance of research.  She discussed how the freshman seminar course and project is a perfect example of how a research project should be pursued.  She did so by discussing the basic components of research, which is first to state the problem and challenge.  Then we must consider the reasonableness of our research and also the current state of the research.  Next we are to consider the methodology and framework of the research by answering many basic questions such as how will you structure or display the data?  Finally we must develop the thesis and the conclusion. 

            Many of these steps are displayed in the freshman seminar class.  The issue is that many African Americans believe the history of Africa begins with enslavement due to miseducation from textbooks and loss of cultural connection.  The goal at the end of this project is to inform students of the great African heritage, royalty, and culture that did indeed exist before slavery.  The framework of the project is designed so the students receive six different research lectures and then blog a reflection after each one.  We then as a class, take a trip to the African Burial Ground in New York City.  Finally we explore the concept of community and responsibility by meeting with our groups and completing our group project.  Overall, this lecture discussed the main points of the doing research and used the freshman seminar course to exemplify the research process.  I feel like this lecture was a good overview of what our group projects will be like and I definitely feel more prepared to correctly achieve this assignment with my peers. 

Iwa by Jordan Henry

                This week our class was lectured by Dr. Segun Gbadegesin and he is the Professor of Philosophy and the Associate Dean of the Humanities in the college of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.  This week’s topic was based on the word “omoluabi”, which is African for self actualization and communal responsibility. 

            Dr. Gbadegesin first began his lecture by discussing some important African terms such as “ijuba”, which means homage and he said that we must be knowledgeable about our past and our creators.   He first discussed Orunmila who is the God of Wisdom.  He then stated that “Iwa” means existence and plays the character as Orunmila’s wife.   “Suuru” means patience and he plays the father of Iwa.  He then went on to say that Orunmila mistreated Iwa and as a result she left him.  Orunmila lost everything that he had and he finally realized that he needed Iwa.  The moral of the story is that we should never lose our “Iwa” because you will lose who you are and everything along with it as a result.

Dr. Gbadegesin also discussed the ties that bind the Ancient Egyptian Culture and the African world.  He also said that the Egyptian culture and African culture share many similar physical, spiritual, philosophical, metaphysical, and ethical principles.  The Ancient Egyptians practiced the morals of truth, justice, harmony and they believed in maintaining order.  Both cultures believed in things such as the good of existence as well as the responsibility to health and community.  He also discussed that the Egyptians believed that good character and intelligence was equal to great beauty.  As a result, it is important that we continue our African culture and carry on the morals of responsibility and health.  Most importantly, we should never lose sight of our “Iwa” or we will lose ourselves and everything else as well.