Freshman Seminar - The Human Genome

     In Freshman Seminar this week our lecturer was a woman from the microbiology department and specialized in the human genome. Although she never got past the first introductory slide she still made some interesting points about the black community in relation to the Human Genome Project, of which, she is a member. The topic of her lecture was supposed to be Abandonment, Dismemberment and Reawakening: The History and Legacy of Howard University, she in her own special way still somewhat touched on the subject. However, most she talked about how every person's individual genome makes them a unique part of the world. She even said that identical twins do not necessarily have the same genome because everyone single person is unique. That phrase gave me a sense of pride i knowing that even if I follow in the steps of others, I am still the ONLY person in this universe that will ever be like me. 


        Also, she told us that our genomes present and intricate history of not only my family ancestry but the black community's ancestry as a whole. The one point that she made which did relate greatly to the topic is that without a knowledge of the history of black people it is impossible for all people to know their true people. When in high school I could remember talking greatly about European and American history which could date back to the BCE age but never did my school ever talk about ancient African history. All other histories branch off from ancient Africa because that is where the world originated. I never actually thought about the world like that but this point is so true. Archaeologist and historians need to focus more on how ancient Africa came to be and how black civilization formulated. Schools need to also emphasize the importance of black history as the origin of all history in general and not only focus on countries such as Greece, Britain and America because countries in Africa date back much farther than any of these countries combined. 


    Although there were times during the lecture when I became bored with the constant talk about the human genome, I still gathered an appreciation for our lecturer's discussion. She offered valid points but I only wish she would have connected other aspects of the lecture's topic into her lecture. Oh well...I guess better luck next Wednesday...

My First Freshman Seminar Lecture!!!!

     Yesterday was my first real freshman seminar class where the class actually began the first of many lectures. The first lecture was given by Dr. Carr whose voice can make even the sleepiest person's eyes burst open. In a class that big, the lecturer's enthusiasm is a must. The title of the lecture focused on Africa with special emphasis on ancient Egypt's Djehuti and his wife Seshat. I have never even heard of these people before or knew of their great accomplishment of inventing numbers and letters. Thinking myself a well read and learned person, I was shocked that I had never actually heard of them. I immediately felt a sense of pride that my own people had been the first to create written language instead of believing the common belief that language started in Europe of ancient Greece. I learned so much that class that I almost ran out of room on my mbongi form! Plus I would never even have thought that the word mbongi from the people of Congo would ever become part of my regular vocabulary...I guess that's HBCU life for you...


      While Dr. Carr was speaking I felt empowered. He talked about having a fresh start in college where I could be anything I wanted to be. I've always thought of myself as good student but sometimes lacked motivation. No longer is that going to be me. Dr. Carr told us that the power to be educated ALWAYS lies with student when all else fails. There's no reason why I cannot take advantage of all the opportunities that Howard has to offer. With the excitement and atmosphere here at HU, my possibilities are endless. When a whole crowd screams HU YOU KNOW at any given time, it's impossible not to feel like you're at home.


     After sitting through the lecture, it hit me. BAM! I'm actually getting a chance to really learn about my people from professors who actually care about the topic. Coming from a predominantly white all girls school, I didn't really get the opportunity to learn about my heritage in ancient Africa, let alone from people who actually cared about the topic. As Dr. Carr made the room pronounce words that my mouth had never pronounced from the language of my people, I felt at ease when my tongue didn't. Finally I was at home. I realized the Mecca is where I need to be. Only at Howard University would I ever be able to find enthusiasm and education like this. FINALLY! AMEN!!!