August Wilson's Interview

During Mr. Wilson's Interview, he was asked the question, "What would make it better? Let's say you had great political power, what would you do?"

His response was very powerful. He made mention of the Emancipation Proclamation, and he made mention of how he would ensure slavery would never be reinforced. However, the part that really stood out to me was when he said, " Then having said that I would tell blacks they are free to participate in American society as Africans, that they don't have to give up their heritage." This statement alone would make any one who is of African descent ecstatic. He also spoke about having our own BLACK doctors, lawyers, artists and so on, but they work for someone else. "None of them work for themselves." He made mention that everything in America is owned by white people, and that the only part of America that is has "black life" in it and they are allowed to be Africans is Rap music. "They aren't censored, they say what they want to say, they do what they want to do, they set up their own record companies."

Now isn't that something?

Is it the fact that we are only limited to owning a record label or we just choose to settle?

Or is it the fact that we are forced to being limited to only own a record label?

Wilson also posed the question, "Why are all the most influential black scholars at Harvard and not at Howard?" He believes that we ought to make Howard just as desirable as Harvard. I do believe that we are as desirable as Harvard, I guess some black scholars prefer to keep under the bar instead of trying to raise it by working independently or along with others of their kind. I'm not saying that I support the idea of segregation by saying Blacks ought to work with others of their kind, but from my perception I believe that they would be more successful. Simply, because people of your kind may tend to give you more positive feed back than those who prefer you to work for them.

Despite it all, I must congratulate those Blacks who work above the bar, and those who intend to. It's your legacy, make the most of it. You can either sit back and be dictated to by someone who can care less, or you can make a name for yourself and your people, and become more influencial.

Chartered Day Service

Despite the fact that I was unable to attend the service, I was still able to get a program. After I read it, I have a good idea as to what Howard University is about.

Howard University is no ordinary university. When its students move on, either into the real world or another institution, they are sure to be leaving more fully self-conscious of who and where they are, and where they intend to go professionally. It also helps students to be more 'thoughtful, energetic, and ethically aware, and more committed to an effective and democratic society in which the civil rights of minorities and the disadvantaged are protected and promoted.' Howard also uses programs of research and community projects in order to help its students confront and act upon their own instincts of leadership.

I am a School of 'B' student, and so far I can say that I am definitely being affected by Howard's Mission in the sense that I am becoming more thoughtful, energetic and so on. Howard is not just a prestigious institution of higher learning, but it is also a home for Blacks who want to learn about their legacy and who also want to place footprints in the sand whilst on their journey to success.

I can definitely say that I am a proud Lady Bison. I'm not only expanding my knowledge, but I am also having fun whilst doing it, and learning more and making additions to help develop my own legacy.

"You're pretty for a black girl"- Say what?

"A racist encounter hurts badly. But it does not equal the pain of "colorism"- being rejected by your own people because your own people because your skin is colored cocoa and not cream, ebony and not olive." (Clarisse Jones 249)

When I was younger, people often told my mother that I was pretty for a black girl. Now, my reaction to that is "What is that suppose to mean?" In Light Skin Versus Dark Skin by Clarisse Jones, she mentioned her experience of "colorism" in her teenage years and she found out that dark brown skin was not supposed to be beautiful, and light skin, green eyes, and long, wavy hair were once again synonyms with beauty. Many individuals have different perceptions of beauty. Some prefer light skin and some prefer dark skin for their own personal reasons. However, that doesn't say one skin color is more beautiful than that of the other.

I recently read an article that addressed the difference in the prices of Barbie Dolls; it stated that the White Barbie doll is more expensive than the Black Barbie doll. I know that they're just dolls, but this has taken "colorism" to a different stage. From my point-of-view, this is really showing that Blacks ought not to be seen as beautiful. Many believe that beauty is in the eyes of its beholder, and I am certainly one of them. Therefore, if you believe the above statement, you will adapt the mentality that you don't care about the idea of "colorism"; the only thing that would matter to you is that you are beautiful in every aspect of your mind, body, and personality.

Below is a song/ video by Christina Aguilera entitled- I am beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2vqXrEYmhI

The Conversation between Boy Willie (Piano Lesson) and Barack Obama

The intended perception of this conversation was to indicate that Barack Obama and Boy Willie went through the same struggle. Also, to show the importance of legacy. Without a doubt, I do believe that these intentions were surpassed during the presentation of the Conversation between Boy Willie and Barack Obama.

However, the main point that really spoke to me was legacy. From my understanding, legacy is very important, you should not keep legacy wrapped up, you ought to show off your legacy, and it is important to understand where you came from. When I first chose Howard University to further my education, I did not perceive it in the way I do now. Howard isn't only about a Black university, or some place where Blacks can come in order to feel welcomed and comfortable about their race. No! It's more than that. It's some place where you can contribute and become more knowledgeable about your legacy- the struggle, and historical moments- from slavery until these present times. Through this, blacks of the past were able to pave the way for us, in order to make a better tomorrow for those who are following in our footsteps.

It also taught me a valuable lesson for my future. When it is time for me to bring forth offspring, I will ensure that they know about the entirety of black history and their legacy, as well as my legacy.

"Without struggle there is no progress" (Frederick Douglass).

"The System"

Black vs. White Police- what a battle, or is it considered as strife. Black people have always had a problem with White police, or was it the other way around? However, which ever way you decide to say it, the White Policemen ALWAYS won. Where I'm from we refer to police as "the man" or "babylon," and despite the fact that we don't have any white police in our country, we still fear them whenever we travel to the United States.

From my point of view, I don't think that its fair the way Black people get treated by the police. Why is it that when we drive fancy cars, or live in big houses, we either sell "dope" or we stole it. Although, in such cases as these, the innocent suffers for the guilty; but some black people really work hard to achieve what they have.

I have a number of relatives who have experienced this sort of treatment in the U.S. Simply because of the area they live in, or because of the cars they drove. Where I come from my family is considered quite wealthy, and this is because we work tremendously hard for our standard of living.

My whole ideology of "Black vs. Blue: Time for a Cease-Fire?" (Carstarphen 199) is even though blacks are considered a rebels, they ought not to be abused by "the system". Yes you have those who are guilty, and you have those who innocent as a virgin, so it is about time we put to a stop the reinactment of slavery.

"Nigger??"; "Blackness??"- Are you kidding me??

So many things come to mind when I think about the words, and given meanings of "Blackness" and "Nigger". First off, having read 'The English Language is My Enemy' by Ossie Davis, I was appauled by the synonyms that are used for the word "BLACKNESS"- "Evil, wicked, malignant, unwashed, foul, dirty' and the list goes on. Just because we're Black- technically speaking, doesn't mean we are ant of these things. It makes me furious knowing that people who are pale think of mee in that way.

However, when it comes to the word 'Nigger', I see it as being a double standard; this is because:
1. It's considered okay for your "hommies", people you're "cool" with, or people who are the same color as you- to call you "Nigger".
2. It's considered derogatory when someone "White" refers to you as "Nigger".
This is because there is a dfferent meaning when someone black or white calls you a "Nigger". For the Black it refers to being my "homie" or "my boi" or "my brother from another mother"; and as for the White, on the other hand, it refers to the synonyms listed above that are used to describe "Blackness".

All in all it is not a great feeling knowing that this is what people who didn't have to work hard to get where they are; people who fit into the American System with ease; and/or people who are considered "perfect" at no everything they do and try to attempt- think of blacks.

Know Where to Put Your Faith

With God all things are possible. And despite all the negativity Ben Carson still knew to place his faith. In "Saving a Life" by Ben Carson, he carefully explains the process of a hemisherectomy performed on a little girl by the name of Maranda Francisco. Before the hemisherectomy even started all odds were against him; however, in the end he left "the results in God's hands".

Having read this essay it felt as though I was in the OR during the surgery. He made each incision, each drill, each injection, and each seperation seem very precise. Even though at times it seemed as though Maranda would not make it- due to inflamation and countless amounts of blood loss, Doctor Carson still kept the faith.

In Introduction to Psychology I learned about the brain and its like to human behavior. In this case, seeing that the left hemisphere of the brain was removed- due to inflamation, the right side of her body would have been paralized. However, the choice was either dying or having a portion of her body paralyzed. And despite the fact that being paralyzed would feel like torture, I would still rather life.

"When my thoughts turned to God, I thanked him for wisdom, for helping to guide my hands," said Dr. Carson. I couldn't have said it better myself. Through all and all we should all remember to give thanks to the one who deserves it; no matter how big or small the situation, God deserves all praise, honor and glory. And I am positive that Maranda and her parents feel the same way.