Howard University is an interesting place. Its a place of education, firstly. Its a place of learning. A place of professors, students, administration, rules, regulations, fees. But most of all its a place of the Black Experience. The Black Experience, in case you don’t know what that is, is the “education” that you receive outside the classroom. Its the part of the learning experience that is 100% up to the student to teach themselves. At Howard, students will experience both sides of the Black Experience–the “rich” and the “poor”.
The rich part of Howard isn’t in the form of money or anything tangible. The rich part of Howard comes tangled in the deep historical legacy of Howard University. The corridors of Frederick Douglas Hall make Howard rich. The performances, plays, and musical concerts that are put on display in the fine arts building or in Cramton Auditorium make Howard University rich. The Yard (Upper Quadrangle) makes Howard rich. Those who’s shoulders we stand on walked those very same sidewalks. They sat in those very same classrooms, used those very same chalk boards, ate in the very same Cafe. Howard University is rich in legacy and rich in history–something no one can strip this university of.
Howard is also “poor”–not monetarily. The neighborhood in which the university is located is not as well off as most. Those who walk the sidewalks outside Howard University are the citizens of our nation’s capitol. Howard is poor because we can do so much more than attend classes and protect ourselves from the threats on the other side of the gates. As children of God, it is our duty to reach out to our brothers and our sisters in Christ–attempt to protect them from the same threats we protect ourselves from. Also, Howard is poor because of some of the aspects of this university that make it run–needless to say Administration. We, as an Historically Black College and University, have become complacent with long lines, getting the “run-around,” and rude Administration officials. All these have made Howard University what it is today, but there is ALWAYS room for improvement. This year Howard got a new President. He seems to have immediately recognized where Howard is “poor” and is looking to make improvements. Simply walk on the campus and you can see where his vision is already becoming a reality– and he got here in August, just like the students.
Combined, rich and poor, you have the great Howard University. Every college and every university on earth has its faults and excellencies, but there is, like I said, always room for improvement. Hopefully, this new president will change many of those “poor” qualities to “rich” ones that add to the legacy of Howard University.
