Last Tuesday was not "just another day" at Howard's mandatory Freshmen Seminar. The previous week's lecture, I believe, brought the entire student body together for one fifty-minute session. Dr. Mack taught on how African American's survived (or lived, I should really say) while slaving in European countires. As an archeologist, Dr. Mack showed the class several pictures of skeletal remains of African Americans who has suffered under the brutailty of working day-in and day-out under stressful conditions. (In fact, his entire presentation was only a collection of papers- no notes at all. This was my only major problem with the seminar...) Despite having anything written on his display, Dr. Mack was still an exemplary teacher, and I'm glad that I was there for his lecture. The doctor pointed out the contusions and seuters on a small child-sized skeleton that occured from the child placing heavy objects on the base of his or her head, and how the child could have developed mental trauma from this. He showed the misgivings of a black woman who had underwent severe injuries such as a broken wrist and bullet holes through her back as a result of unkown circumstances. She might have tried to run away from her captors, or shw could have simply broken a dish or cup while working in the kitchen of a Southern white family.

Dr. Mack's presentation was truly amazing, and those who came to the seminar and paid attention to what he was really saying could not have left the building without encountering some feeling of empathy and inter-relatedness. This makes my wait for the African Burial trip seem even more worthwhile. I feel that this adventure to this sacred memorial will only continue to open my eyes to what more my culture has in store for me.