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