‘Between the World and Me’ – Ta-Nehisi Coates in Conversation with Howard University Students and Community
Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of the New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me (Random House, 2015) and National Book Award nonfiction nominee, was on the Howard University campus on Wednesday, October 7, for a full day of interaction with Howard students and members of the Howard community. His visit culminated in a major address and book-signing event at Cramton Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Below is the approximately 90 minute presentation and dialogue with the Howard University community.
The one comment I'll share about the occasion is that Ta-Nehisi's thoughtful and insightful reflections, especially evident in his exchange with HU students, is exactly the kind of experience that seems to set the HBCU experience apart from all others. This was a family conversation: one son of HU, Ta-Nehisi, in conversation with a new generation of students, who are similarly finding their path while making sense of this racist world we've all been born into - and one that we're all still seeking to turn right side up.
I hope people have some appreciation of how unique and valuable the Howard University experience is, especially at this particular moment in time, spoken from another son of this great institution. If you hear someone question the value of an HBCU experience, especially the HU experience, or next time someone asks such a ridiculous question, just share this link with them. And if you want more of this caliber discussion (including more of the rich and complex history and current presence of African people in the world) with and between students, you should really visit the campus and attend some of the campus discussions related to understanding, and even more so the healing and development of, the world African community.
Study... Engage... Reflect... Grow... Repeat...
THE JOURNEY: “Knowing History, Knowing Self: Howard University President Wayne Frederick Talks with Dr. Greg Carr”
From Howard University radio station, WHUR...
On this episode of The Journey, President Wayne A. I. Frederick talks with Dr. Greg Carr, Chair of African American Studies at Howard University. They explore the joy of learning, the importance of understanding historical context and the promise of a new generation of scholar-activists. (Originally aired on Sunday, August 23, 2015)
Click to listen to the 15-minute conversation.
Cities In Crisis – From Ferguson to Baltimore: Howard University Television Special
Here is a comprehensive discussion of what's happening in cities throughout the country, from Ferguson to Baltimore and beyond, centered in an affirmation of the integrity and dignity of African American families and communities.
From May 2, 2015:
Join WHUT's Rock Newman and WHUR's Harold Fisher for a Howard University Special Presentation on the events that have garnered national attention in Baltimore.
Howard University Prayer Vigil for Michael Brown – Remarks by Dr. Greg Carr
In the two video clips just below (approx. 11 minutes total) are powerful reflections by Dr. Greg Carr, Chair of the Department of Africana (African American) Studies at Howard University.
Dr. Carr's remarks serve as a clear reminder of why places like Howard University exist, and the critically important role of students - at Howard University and at other similarly situated HBCUs - in the continuing struggle for justice for Black folks in the US and throughout the world.
We must use all of our creative and intellectual capacity to transform our community!
This is our charge!
Celebrating Freedom Day in South Africa: 1994-2014
On this day exactly 20 years ago, I had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of participating in the first fully democratic and inclusive election process in South Africa. I was a part of a great delegation of seven students, five faculty members and a two-person camera crew representing Howard University as official elections observers. In fact, the Howard University delegation (if my memory serves me correctly) was the only U.S. university with students serving in an official capacity as international elections observers. That was a testament to Howard's commitment to both South Africa and its role in developing leaders in support of the global African community.
It was a moving experience for all of us, and one that we'll never forget. The highlight for me was talking with and watching the elders who waited hours through the night to cast their vote for the first time, as well as talking with the many students who fought and strategized for years leading up to the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela, and also keeping the pressure on within communities throughout the negotiations process which culminated in the 1994 elections.
Today, exactly twenty years after the 1994 elections, South Africans, and others throughout the world, celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Freedom Day.
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in South Africa, recognizing that South Africa is not the place it was prior to the 1994 elections, and it's still on its journey to becoming what it's destiny has in store.
Our shared struggle continues!
Many thanks to brother Jonathan Hutto from Howard University for sharing this link with me last year. Brings back great memories.
Happy (Howard University) – Pharrell Williams
A wonderful tribute video by students at the great Howard University!
Requiem for a Timekeeper: Dr. Greg Carr on the Life and History of Dr. John Henrik Clarke
Below is the audio of a lecture given by Dr. Greg Carr, currently the Chair of the Howard University Department of African American Studies. This passionate and comprehensive lecture situates Dr. John Henrik Clarke within the broader context of African intellectuals and activist movements throughout the twentieth century.
Much appreciation and many thanks to Brother Jared Ball for posting this presentation at I Mix What I Like.
... a brilliant presentation given by Dr. Greg Carr on the life, history and political/cultural “genealogy” of Dr. John Henrik Clarke at the 1998 (November) gathering of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization (ASCAC) at the International House in Philadelphia, PA.
Nelson Mandela: A Photography Exhibit at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (@ Howard University Library)
Nelson Mandela: Character, Comrade, Leader, Prisoner, Negotiator, Statesman – A U.S. premier of the internationally acclaimed photography exhibit celebrating the role that Nelson Mandela played in the South African struggle against apartheid.
VISIT ONLINE OR IN-PERSON
Please share this with others...
Visit and explore this great exhibit online:
- Nelson Mandela Photography Exhibit - http://library.howard.edu/msrc_mandela_exhibit
And for those who can visit in-person:
- Exhibit continues through April 27, 2014 at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC (inside of Founders Library).
- Free and open to the public.
Remembering Mandela: Howard University Television (WHUT)
A very nicely done video honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Many thanks to the team at Howard University Television (WHUT), and Dr. Greg Carr (Chair of the African American / Africana Studies Department at Howard University) for putting this piece together.
If you have a moment, also read the really nice piece contextualizing aspects of Nelson Mandela's relationship to the Howard University community over the years.