My interest in education....

My academic and intellectual inspirations derive from the work of Dr. Asa Hilliard, III. His battle to define education through academic excellence manifested by content mastery, student engagement, and community responsibility enlivens my sentiments to community service. Our educational system is facing a crisis and its time for a responsible educational revolution to emerge. Though Dr. Hilliard has passed, I am encouraged, as an act of reverence and responsibility, to battle for innovative education.

Trace that money.... you'll see the truth of oppression!!!

Today, as I was sitting in Economics class (not paying attention as usual), and reading ahead in the chapter on Monopolies I noted a case study that they cite on The DeBeers Diamond Monopoly. The company was founded in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes, an English businessman, white supremacist, and colonizer of South Africa. Out of his egocentrism, he named Rhodesia after himself. He hoped that a land with his namesake would last forever however the land was soon changed to Zambia and Zimbabwe. So much for that.
For more information on his actual exploits see:
Cecil Rhodes
more Cecil Rhodes

So anyway, when he died he willed his estate to Oxford University and the Rhodes Scholarship was created. So this literal blood money has funded many "scholars" to study in England, including Howard University's own. Including the "first" black student to get the award.

I haven't done any extensive research but I wonder if any of these award recipients were aware of where their scholarship money came from and if it has any bearing on them as scholars in pursuit of furthering their education.

FINALLY!!! ITS HAPPENED TO ME!!!!

I can not and will not lie. I have been waiting for the opportunity to mix and mingle with my fellow black graduate students. I am so happy! Of course, I have found my cohorts within my department absolutely lovely. I just want to see the business saavy folks, the philosophy majors, the biomedical engineers, the rest of the folks who aren't dedicated to public service and other community oriented careers. Look forward to my comments after the meeting!