Not Losing Ground

Going to Convocation, I had no idea what it was about. I only knew that it was a “tradition”. I arrived early as I was told by several and got a desired seat. The introduction and processional was respectful and the orchestra was remarkable. First, the President of Howard University spoke and described convocation as the “calling together of a community” (Dr. Sidney A Ribeau). This was the 144^th convocation held at Howard University. Imagine all the history that is held in those years, and that we as class of 2015 are just becoming a part of it. We are making a difference coming to Howard University. As illustrated by the president of the institution, we made the difference for our family and the difference for the world; we must cease to be the change we want to see. This statement correlates to my favorite quote “Be the change you want to see in the world” (Gandhi).

The main speaker of the morning was the President of UNCF, Dr. Michael L. Lomax. His speech corresponded with this past weeks lecture with Dr. Wright. Dr. Lomax demonstrated several ideas that Dr. Wright had a few days earlier. One expression that had me reflecting after the Convocation was many African-Americans are seen as the “muscle of the labor force, but not brain power behind the economy” (Dr. Lomax). This directly correlates with Dr. Wright’s illustration that blacks were thought so little of during segregation. It dawned on me that this is an issue that still exists today. Another example Dr. Lomax used that supports this is, “college is seen for most, but not for most African-Americans”. Dr. Lomax hit on the idea that education is declining when he stated that colleges in the past have “done more with less”. Colleges today are more concentrated on what they accomplished in the past rather than what they need to do for their students now. (Dr. Lomax)

Only a small percent of the freshman class here at Howard are males. Why is this? Society views African-American high school graduates as crucial parts of the labor force, but not as knowledgeable college student. We must push the effort that college is for all. Education is a powerful tool for liberation, as stated by Dr. Wright.

Dr. Lomax’s idea of leadership and community engagement was parallel to that of Dr. Wright’s. He emphasized that we have to “struggle and have determination to be better” (Dr. Lomax). We have to live up to the legacy of Howard and build upon it. “Even sacred grounds can lose ground if not properly cared for or supported” (Dr. Lomax). It is our assignment as present students to restrengthen the university. “For Howard; the best is yet to come” (Dr. Lomax). We must use our knowledge to engage in obstacles, modernize past ideas, and manage education to better ourselves ,as well as, the university as a whole. We must be consistent in our approach to produce results. When we graduate this historic university, we should not only leave our legacy behind, but also leave a trail to our destiny. Give back to the university that helped mold your character and put you on your path to success. “We have made progress, but there is much more to do” (Dr. Lomax)