There's People From MA at Howard!?!?!

So today was the first Massachusetts Club meeting this year on campus. I finally got to meet the handful of other people from my state that actually go to Howard! When people ask me where I'm from and I tell them MA they usually have some smart comment regarding the fact that they didn't know that black people stayed in Boston. Huh??? That's the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. I guess it's just me that assumes that black people are EVERYWHERE.


That being said, I met people from Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Cambridge, Northampton, Mansfield, even Cape Cod. Putting it simply, there are kids from all over MA but when you compare the amount of us to the amount of students from places like Jersey, Cali, or NY we get lost in translation. I'm happy that the club finally had the meeting because I was honestly starting to think that we didn't have our own club since there isn't that many of us on campus LOL. Anyways...here are some pictures from the Celtics parade in Boston after we won the NBA Championship Series.



and all of you from MA should recognize the following picture:

Sunday's Best

I'd been telling myself for the longest time that I had to get back in church because I hadn't been in several years (horrible I know!!). That's why yesterday morning (you can tell by my face that I had barely slept LOL) I got up, got dressed, and went to church with my Aunt Brenda and cousin Courtney. Now, I am not a morning person, but I consider myself to be partially, if not deeply, rooted in faith. Since I was a child, religion has meant quite a lot to me (there was no valid reason for my not attending church regularly). However, effective immediately, I am turning over a new leaf. I plan on attending church (Metropolitan Baptist Church) with my aunt and cousin every Sunday, or at least I plan on going to chapel with my friends. The preacher had a really good message and I felt that it had a lot to do with me (funny how when you're not paying attention in church the minister says something that catches your attention). Overall, church was good and I can't wait for next week!

After church my Aunt treated me to IHOP (I haven't had a decent breakfast in the loooooooongestttttttttt time) and then we went to my cousin's basketball game. By the time the game was over, we were all hungry again so we grabbed a bite for dinner, went to the house, and just hung out for a bit. It's great having family close to school because when I get tired of being on campus, I can just hop on the Metro or ask them to pick me up and be at their house within the hour. Shout outs to Aunt Brenda, Courtney, and Aunt Pat for the great day yesterday!

P.S. Mom, hope you enjoy the new posts/pictures I put up!!

When in D.C......go Sightseeing!!

Sorry that I haven't been blogging in a while! College has officially started taking its toll on me. Between doing homework and studying, I haven't really been doing much. 2 weeks ago I had tests in Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus (two of which were on the same day); just imagine how my weekend was studying for all of those subjects! Anyway, here are some pictures from a recent trip I took to the national mall with some friends. Shout outs to my roommate Ray, and my friends Wes, Shelby, Omolara, and Chibuzo:



(here is a picture of Wes getting his GQ on!)

(random shot of Omolara and Chibuzo on our mission to find food!)




(just a reminder of an important era in our nation's history)


(Wes, me, and my roommate Ray outside of the Lincoln Memorial)
(picture in the History museum depicting blacks moving into white neighborhoods)
(they swear they're models or something :-x)

(only in America can someone depict the leader of the country in such a demeaning way and get away with it. In some Middle-Eastern/Asian countries, the person who made this picture would be imprisoned or worse. No matter what I still support OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!)<---that picture was actually a protester's poster at the rally against healthcare reform in D.C. a couple of weeks ago.

The 50th Law w/ Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

On Wednesday September 9, 50 Cent, one of the most controversial rappers/entrepreneurs of all time, visited the Howard University Campus to promote his new book, The 50th Law. Curtis Jackson, whose career has gained notoriety from his feuds with famous rap personalities such as Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and Cam'ron visited the campus with co-author Robert Greene, the famed psychologist and author of many books such as The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction. His appearance, which took place in Cramton Auditorium, drew a respectable crowd of fans, opponents, and non-biased students who just wanted to learn more about the man behind the moniker.

Before 50 took the stage, Greene came out to give those in attendance basic background information on Jackson and a glimpse of what their book was all about. By the time Greene finished with the introduction, many members of the crowd, who were eagerly anticipating the arrival of 50 Cent (who was approx. 30 minutes late), were more than excited to see the rapper and hear what he had to say. When 50 finally made his debut, most of the crowd erupted into applause and spontaneous picture-taking. After he addressed the crowd, 50 took his seat and the long awaited forum began.
Overall, I was impressed with what Mr. Jackson had to say. While most people might have a distorted perception of the so-called "gangsta" rapper, my view on him was positively changed after the colloquium had concluded. 50 Cent presented himself as a well-informed, well-rounded individual. As someone who came from the humblest of upbringings, his intellectual prowess proved that the common phrase "I'm a product of my environment" is no longer a valid excuse for one not reaching their fullest potential. For someone who has been a member of the corporate community for less than a decade, he appeared to be quite knowledgeable in the fields of business and investing. A choice selection of budding entrepreneurs from the Howard community got a taste of 50's investment expertise after he viewed a number of business pitches and had to choose which one he thought was the best. I applaud all who participated in the contest and congratulate the freshman Biology major who won (Biology majors stand up!)

Of course, 50 Cent, like his usual controversial self, had to stir up the crowds somehow. He accomplished this with statements made about successful rapper Lil' Wayne. While 50 was speaking about rappers who fabricated stories about their background in order to gain credibility, someone in the crowd shouted "Weezy!" This led 50 to comment about the fact that Weezy has been in the spotlight since the age of 13 or 14. He then questioned the audience as to how all of Weezy's rhymes regarding his street life could possibly be true if Weezy has been on TV from such a young age. Check out this video that a member of the audience recorded: http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhuOIud8u7H1Hep130
After 50 and Greene were finished speaking about their book, they allowed the audience to ask questions, most of them directed towards the rapper. Although the moderator instructed the audience that only one question per person was allowed, many people disregarded his plea, leading to many people not being able to ask potentially good questions. Several audience members had well thought out inquiries while the majority used their time to give shout-outs, promote demo tapes, or otherwise make a mockery of the open-forum. I, myself, was quite embarrassed that students at such a premier institution of higher learning would conduct themselves in such manner. I was excited that 50 availed himself to the audience for autograph signing and picture taking. Even though I didn't get an autograph, I was satisfied with the pictures I was able to take. (even though the quality of the pictures wasn't the best =] )

Happy Labor Day!!

Happy Labor Day everyone! Most people associate Labor Day with a long weekend that brings an extra day off from work or school. It's fine to use that extra day off to have cookouts and party as the summer winds down, but it is important to know what the day really signifies. According to the US Department of Labor, "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country". Keep that in mind as you enjoy that hamburger or hot dog and ice-cold beer during your long weekend.

On another note, for those of you wondering where you should go out to eat next, consider Carolina's Kitchen. I had heard of it but had never eaten there until last night. The atmosphere brings about a one-of-a-kind, at home, country feeling. For those of you who love southern cooking, the menu will remind you of dishes you would eat at your Granny's house on Sundays after church. From the exquisitely seasoned rotisserie chicken and the cheesy baked macaroni down to the savory collard greens and satisfying peach cobbler, this restaurant is the place to be when you need to satisfy your craving for soul food....Man I wish Soul Food Thursdays at Howard was like this!!!

Visit http://www.thecarolinakitchen.com/home.php for Locations

No More Silence!

This past Friday, students at Howard University staged a protest to complain about various issues that plague the campus. Of the many issues brought up, some of the prevalent ones had to do with: lack of respect for students amongst the administration, aging equipment across campus (especially in the science labs), the lack or ineffectiveness of a recycling system, the lack of proper handicap accessibility, and the lack of adequate housing for many students. The overall mood on campus that day was one of impatience and agitation because most of the students felt their voices were not being heard.



Even members of 32BJ, the worker's union for Howard University staff, came out to let their voices be heard on topics that were important to them, such as HU's violation of certain union agreements. As a new student on campus, I was proud to see my fellow Bison stand up for what they believe in. The slogan of the day was definitely: United We Stand, Divided We Fall.




At one point during the protest, the crowd sang in unison to the lyrics of the Black National Anthem and swayed, clenched fists in air, as HU's own form of civil disobedience was made manifest to the members of the administration. This brought back memories of a magazine article I had read that told the story of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, a pair of African American sprinters, who during the '68 Olympics in Mexico City decided to silently make known their support for the civil rights movement in America.

Another interesting fact was that during the protest, celebrity mogul Diddy, a former Howard student, found out about the protest and began tweeting about it. He even offered to come down to the campus to let his voice be heard as well. It's great that despite his social status, someone like Diddy still answers the call to support his alma mater. Hopefully our protest will reap the benefits that we so graciously wish for.

Enjoy the footage! (I was filming it on a 4 megapixel digital camera so it's a little grainy and the volume might be distorted)

..I Have a Pretty Full Plate Ahead of Me

Earlier this summer when class registration opened, I really didn't pay attention to how I scheduled my classes and how the workload would affect me. NEVER AGAIN! Next semester, I will be certain that I plan out my classes in a smarter way.

Take a look at my schedule

Mondays: Calculus from 8-9 in the morning
Chemistry, Biology, and English from 1-4

Tuesdays: Bio Lab from 2pm-5
Chem Lab from 5pm-8 <---these are the classes that really annoy me, I can't do anything for the whole day! My whole day will be spent in these two buildings:





Wednesdays: Same as Mondays

Thursdays: Calculus from 8-9
Chemistry recitation sometime after 10

Fridays: Same as Mondays

All that equals 17 credit hours...for the average student, that might seem like a lot. But for science majors, it's actually pretty reasonable. Some engineering majors have 18+ and one of my friends who is in a 6 year B.S./M.D. program has 21!!!! (shout outs to Sabrina for taking on such a difficult, but rewarding workload)

Can We Please Stop the Violence?

While checking Facebook, I was saddened to learn of the death of a student at Clark Atlanta University. No matter what school it is, anything that happens to any student, whether HBCU or not, hits home. Please keep her family, friends, Clark, and the AUC in your prayers.


Please check this link out, it will direct you to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence's website: http://www.csgv.org/site/c.pmL5JnO7KzE/b.3509205/k.BDBC/Home.htm

Weekend Before Classes

As freshman week came to an end, most of us freshman knew that we had to end our week of partying with a bang. Needless to say, anybody who was somebody made sure they were looking their finest and headed out to Love, which without a doubt is the hottest club in our nation's capital. With different DJs playing the hottest jams on all 4 floors and a black and white party on the top floor, you most definitely missed out if you did not go. But as the night wrapped up, I knew that I had to put myself into school mode and planned for a calm, relaxing day on Sunday.
When I got up on Sunday, I was a bit sad that my week of partying, hanging out, and socializing with no cares in the world was over. But I had to take care of some last minute school business because tonight, I had to be in early. Not just because I wanted to hit the sack early so I would be rested for my 8AM Calculus class the next day, but because the RAs in Drew told us that we had a mandatory 8:30PM meeting. Wonder what that could be about? Anyways I went on with my day and tried to get everything set for school.
...Finally it was reaching minutes to 8 so I went back to my room to just hang out before the hall meeting. I was sort of confused as to why Drew Hall was the only dorm that made its residents return to the dorm early on the night before school started. Weren't we in college? My whole idea of college was getting to set my own rules and live without someone else telling me what to do and when to do it. Turns out that night was one of the most memorable nights on campus for me so far. If I ever had a doubt that Drew Hall was the livest dorm at Howard, it was erased. That night served as a unifying bond between all the fellas in the dorm. It permanently etched into my mind the notion that Drew Hall was not only a dorm but a fraternity. DREW HALL!!!!...YOU KNOW!!!!

Overall I was impressed with my last weekend before school started. I can't wait for the rest of the year!

Freshman Week

From the moment we moved in, the freshman class was bombarded with advertisements from Campus Pals, an organization that pretty much helps acquaint new freshman with Howard University and gets us used to college life. One such advertisement was the PalPak. This was basically a package of tickets that cost $80 that would grant us access to all the activities that would take place on campus during the week. Needless to say, a promise of fun and excitement to a bunch of new college students was more than alluring and many of us ended up dropping the $80 (hey at least we got a free drawstring bag, right?)
Details aside, freshman week was the bomb!! Everyday there was a fresh and (somewhat) exciting activity that the Campus Pals had organized. The days were pretty much spent out on the Yard or at some other spot on campus meeting new people and learning about all the different states that were represented. (Cali and jersey go hard here! I was formally introduced to Cali Jerkin' and Baltimore/Philly/Jersey Club Music <--which city's version is better is still up for grabs) Of course there was the New York music and the Southern snappin' music that is all too familiar. But there was also the "newer" dance songs and the older ones that are still relevant ( Swagg Surf, Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, etc.) And you know of course Caribbeans made their presence known (Dutty Wine, Willie Bounce, Badman Forward/Badman Pull up, etc.)Big up to all my islanders!! Nights were spent clubbing at many of hottest spots in DC (Love, 24, Fur, Republic Garden; check them out!!)or hanging out on the Yard dancing and hanging out..everything else was squeezed in between. One of the first things we learned at Howard, however was: KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES! School always comes before EVERYTHING, but when its time to party WE GET IT IN!
All celebrations aside, it is with regret that I have to admit that some of us also had to learn about city life the hard way. Sadly,several students at the Quad and at Drew were victims of armed robbery (shout outs to all my fellow victims! No matter what, we shall overcome!) This experience not only brought city life into perspective for me, it also made me more aware of my surroundings and let me know that crime doesn't discriminate. It was a learning experience and hopefully DC can start preventing such crimes from occurring so often, for they only tarnish the sacred legacy of our nation's capital.

Opening Pep Rally: My First Real Impression of Howard

My first couple of hours on campus had been great. I had finally met some of the HU fam from Facebook in person and was finally enjoying the freedoms of being a college student. After getting settled in and touring the campus, there was a pep rally set up for us where we were supposed to run out on the field like how the football team does before the game (man I miss high school football!). Funny thing was, it was hotter than ever out there (the student council knew it too because they even gave us "swag rags" to wipe our faces) so most people just strolled on out taking their sweet old time so it took a MINUTE for everyone to get into the bleachers so the festivities could begin (turns out EVERYONE at Howard takes their sweet old time to do everything..INCLUDING administration..more on that topic in a later post) To make a long story short, we met the who's who of Howard (President, Provost, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, etc.), got to see the cheerleaders in action, listened to the band perform, and watched some upperclassmen take part in skits with the administration. There were two parts I liked the most from the rally: 1) When we all sang/learned the Alma Mater and 2) When the upperclassman girl performed the black national anthem. These 2 events really solidified my school pride (HU, You Know!!!) and gave me a purpose for being there. Overall, I was impressed with HU thus far. Let the festivities begin!

..Unpacked. Now What?

I had finally gotten all my stuff unpacked, I loved my room (corner rooms with 2 windows prove to be the best in Drew Hall, where temps inside hover at mid to high 80s+ during the summer), and the parents were gone. Now what was there to do? My roommate and I decided to grab some free food at the cookout and then walk around campus.
As we went around campus, we found people we had met on Facebook (shout outs to the Cali fam: Andorian, Anita, and Bre!) and soon ended up in Blackburn Center peering into the Cafe, where we would soon learn was the go to place to chill, meet up with friends, and grab a bite to eat (college food gets old quick though...). While there, we met a cool cafeteria guy who taught us a phrase in Chinese but refused to let us get a drink (it was sooo hot on campus and dude couldn't spot a brother a glass of water!!) Then we found out that the freshman class was supposed to be headed to Burr Gymnasium to take place in some sort of opening pep rally so that's where we went next..

Finally Here!

It had been a long time coming...but finally, August 15th was here!!! The long months of waiting and expectations could finally be laid to rest because I was finally home. FINALLY! The Real HU, The Mecca, The Capstone, The Black Harvard..whatever you call it, I had reached Howard University and there was no turning back.

Upon entering my soon-to-be home for the next 8 or so months, (DREW HALL STAND UP!) I was met by rising sophomores who filled me in on past experiences and the strong sense of pride and brotherhood that encompassed being a Drew Hall brother. When i finally got to my room after waiting in the loooong line, I came to realize they had put me in the wrong room and I had to repack all of my belongings and move to a different room. AFTER all the confusion that ensued, I finally got settled in the RIGHT room (249A) and was able to get to know my roommate, Ray. After our folks left, we headed out to explore the campus, meet new people, and take part in all the activities they had planned for us....(to be continued)