The Eloquence of the Scribes

                The lecture my freshman seminar class heard on Tuesday was entitled, "The Eloquence of the Scribes, Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery- Continuing the legacy of Howard University". The speaker was Dr. Benjamin.  A scribe is a person who writes books or documents by hand. Scribes lost their importance when printing was introduced. In modern day contemporary society scribes are represented by typists, journalists, administrators, and lawyers. In ancient times there were royal and anonymous scribes that worked in the fields, temples, and pyramids.

               Dr. Benjamin went over a number of scribes during the class period such as Jean Mlelot who was a known European author and scribe in the 15th century. Howard University is named after the scribe General Oliver Otis Howard. Howard University was originally made to specifically train doctors, lawyers, and dentists.

              Dr. Benjamin also discussed the many scribes that have buildings named after them on the Howard University campus. For example, founders library, opened in 1938, is named after the architect Albert I. Cassell. Locke Hall, the center for the School of Arts and Sciences, is named after Alaine Leroy Locke who is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Zora Neale Hurston is recognized on campus as the founder of the Hilltop Newspaper. She was a literary giant and an author during the Harlem Renaissance. She is best known for being the author of "Their eyes were watching God". The division of Fine Arts building is named after LuLu Vere Childers and Douglass Memorial Hall is named after the gret Frederick Douglass. The Ira Aldridge Theater was named after Ira Aldridge who was an African American actor.

   The residence halls on the Howard University campus are also named after important African Americans. The Harriet Tubman quadrangle is named after Harriet Tubman who helped slaves escape from the south to the North. The buildings within the quadrangle are named after Sojourner Truth, Prudence Crandall and Phillis Wheatley. Sojourner Truth fought for women's rights and believed that men and women should be treated equally. Prudence Crandall opened the first African American school for girls. Phillis Wheatley was a famous African American woman poet. Other residence halls that are named after important African Americans include Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall, Mary McLeod Bethune Annex, and Charles R. drew.

          Dr. Benjamin's lecture was ultimately given to show us that we are surrounded by excellence and great scribes. Howard University will give us a greater realization about who we are and help us make the right choices in life and eventually achieve great success.

Post by Sasha Joseph