HOWARD U! HERE I COME !
I first stepped onto the campus of Howard University in May 1969, for a visit, prior to my August enrollment.
I was assigned to an escort. That middle-aged man took me around to see a few sights and was quite personable. He did, however, seem to be unduly nervous. He was ever looking about , as though he was expecting something. He was also walking rapidly, mildly ill at ease.
I felt his anxiety, but did not know what its cause might be. Eventually, he deposited me at the School of Human Ecology with its Dean, Dr. Flemmie Kittrell, and hurried away.
She was calm, warm and effusive. She showed me lovely wall rugs and creative works made by her students and collected from her travels. I was intrigued for awhile, momentarily. But, as I had come from St. Louis earlier that day, and returning that night, I really wanted to see and feel the students' pulse.
She understood. She led me to the building exit near Founders Library and Tubman Quadrangle. Looking about , I walked across to Douglass Hall, where some students were gathered. I soon learned that a student demonstration was to take place that very day. Indeed , at that very moment, the doors of Alain Locke Hall, across the way, were chained from the inside, and the windows papered over , as part of the protest. But, no students were inside! It was all a ruse to deceive .
I smiled seductively. Seems like my kind of place; full of clever student activists, like my high school raps! I sat down on the steps of Douglass Hall, basking in the company of my new friends. But quickly time flew .
I was walked down to 4th Street to hail a taxi. Standing opposite the imposing Harriet Tubman Quadrangle, the girls' dormitory, actually 4 dorms combined. Being a brother, I could not help but notice their luminescent beauty in the evening sun. With muffled sigh, I entered a cab and was gone!
Landing later on in St. Louis , I was surprised to learn, from my waiting parents, that those very sisters at the "Quad" had set a D.C. fire truck ablaze, as a consequence of some protest, according to news reports.
"Howard U! Here I come!"
I stayed at Howard 7 glorious years, where I earned two degrees; one in journalism; another in law school.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
HOWARD U! HERE I COME!
HOWARD U! HERE I COME !
I first stepped onto the campus of Howard University in May 1969, for a visit, prior to my August enrollment.
I was assigned to an escort. That middle-aged man took me around to see a few sights and was quite personable. He did, however, seem to be unduly nervous. He was ever looking about , as though he was expecting something. He was also walking rapidly, mildly ill at ease.
I felt his anxiety, but did not know what its cause might be. Eventually, he deposited me at the School of Human Ecology with its Dean, Dr. Flemmie Kittrell, and hurried away.
She was calm, warm and effusive. She showed me lovely wall rugs and creative works made by her students and collected from her travels. I was intrigued for awhile, momentarily. But, as I had come from St. Louis earlier that day, and returning that night, I really wanted to see and feel the students' pulse.
She understood. She led me to the building exit near Founders Library and Tubman Quadrangle. Looking about , I walked across to Douglass Hall, where some students were gathered. I soon learned that a student demonstration was to take place that very day. Indeed , at that very moment, the doors of Alain Locke Hall, across the way, were chained from the inside, and the windows papered over , as part of the protest. But, no students were inside! It was all a ruse to deceive .
I smiled seductively. Seems like my kind of place; full of clever student activists, like my high school raps! I sat down on the steps of Douglass Hall, basking in the company of my new friends. But quickly time flew .
I was walked down to 4th Street to hail a taxi. Standing opposite the imposing Harriet Tubman Quadrangle, the girls' dormitory, actually 4 dorms combined. Being a brother, I could not help but notice their luminescent beauty in the evening sun. With muffled sigh, I entered a cab and was gone!
Landing later on in St. Louis , I was surprised to learn, from my waiting parents, that those very sisters at the "Quad" had set a D.C. fire truck ablaze, as a consequence of some protest, according to news reports.
"Howard U! Here I come!"
I stayed at Howard 7 glorious years, where I earned two degrees; one in journalism; another in law school.