I had no idea there was a name for the walk that I will take in exactly 111 days – but who’s counting? Actually, I am. “The Long Walk” is its name.
It’s the path across Howard University’s Yard, from the Fine Arts building, to Founders Library. I was informally introduced to The Long Walk in August of 2008. I was in the eighth grade, my sister an incoming Howard University freshman. I had no idea that I was walking a historical walk. I mean, I knew Howard had bread some of the most prestigious doctors, entrepreneurs, writers, actors, journalists, and leaders of the world. But at the time, legacy wasn’t my concern.
I wanted to attend any Ivy League university. In fact, you couldn’t tell me that I would be walking The Long Walk as a freshman at Howard University four years ahead. But it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my life.
Now, I’d be lying if I said my journey at Howard hasn’t been a long walk in itself. And when I say long, I mean boutta-throw-the-towel-in long. Thankfully, I have The Lord by my side, because I’d also be lying if I tried to count all the headaches and frustration I’ve undergone throughout my tenure. From community bathrooms in the Quad, to the endless lines in the Administration building, it has been nothing short of a beautiful storm.
As a graduating senior, it’s only fitting that the professor of my capstone journalism class formally introduced us to The Long Walk, a documentary film, based upon a book written by Harry G. Robinson III and Hazel Ruth Edwards. The docufilm took us all the way back to the 1867, where Howard’s long walk began.
It’s called ‘The Long Walk’ because, well, it’s long. But it’s metaphoric for the long journey of Howard University; from its humble beginnings to the illustrious university it’s known to be today. When Howard was founded, it was fully intended to provide the highest level of education for blacks. And that, it does.
I’m a firm believe that greatness lies in the details. So it’s only logical that I chose a university with like sentiments. The huge, black, cast iron gates and fences that I walk past everyday were completely intentional. Architect Albert Cassel designed them to serve as symbols of importance. When Howard first came into being, it wasn’t important. Located off Georgia Avenue, a local hub for hoodlums, Howard had to stand out. The object was to grow into its importance, instead of taking shape of the local community.
As time passed, Howard began to gain a sense of place. With the reservoir on the back end of the university, several historical building such as Burr Gymnasium, Greene Stadium, Douglass Hall, and Founders Library, Howard has remained dignified and created a legacy that continues to thrive. This university is cultivating fresh greatness while continuing the legacy of the people whose moral compass we were founded upon, such as Frederick Douglass, Ralph Bunche, Sojourner Truth, and the list goes on.
Today the long walk is an avenue of success. And it’s obvious that greatness has lied within the fences of the Hilltop since the day it was created. Now, the legacy of greatness produced by Howard has permeated across the world. I can’t wait to take my last long walk as a Howard University undergrad student. I have a legacy to continue. Almost 110 days to go.
It’s the path across Howard University’s Yard, from the Fine Arts building, to Founders Library. I was informally introduced to The Long Walk in August of 2008. I was in the eighth grade, my sister an incoming Howard University freshman. I had no idea that I was walking a historical walk. I mean, I knew Howard had bread some of the most prestigious doctors, entrepreneurs, writers, actors, journalists, and leaders of the world. But at the time, legacy wasn’t my concern.
I wanted to attend any Ivy League university. In fact, you couldn’t tell me that I would be walking The Long Walk as a freshman at Howard University four years ahead. But it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my life.
Now, I’d be lying if I said my journey at Howard hasn’t been a long walk in itself. And when I say long, I mean boutta-throw-the-towel-in long. Thankfully, I have The Lord by my side, because I’d also be lying if I tried to count all the headaches and frustration I’ve undergone throughout my tenure. From community bathrooms in the Quad, to the endless lines in the Administration building, it has been nothing short of a beautiful storm.
As a graduating senior, it’s only fitting that the professor of my capstone journalism class formally introduced us to The Long Walk, a documentary film, based upon a book written by Harry G. Robinson III and Hazel Ruth Edwards. The docufilm took us all the way back to the 1867, where Howard’s long walk began.
It’s called ‘The Long Walk’ because, well, it’s long. But it’s metaphoric for the long journey of Howard University; from its humble beginnings to the illustrious university it’s known to be today. When Howard was founded, it was fully intended to provide the highest level of education for blacks. And that, it does.
I’m a firm believe that greatness lies in the details. So it’s only logical that I chose a university with like sentiments. The huge, black, cast iron gates and fences that I walk past everyday were completely intentional. Architect Albert Cassel designed them to serve as symbols of importance. When Howard first came into being, it wasn’t important. Located off Georgia Avenue, a local hub for hoodlums, Howard had to stand out. The object was to grow into its importance, instead of taking shape of the local community.
As time passed, Howard began to gain a sense of place. With the reservoir on the back end of the university, several historical building such as Burr Gymnasium, Greene Stadium, Douglass Hall, and Founders Library, Howard has remained dignified and created a legacy that continues to thrive. This university is cultivating fresh greatness while continuing the legacy of the people whose moral compass we were founded upon, such as Frederick Douglass, Ralph Bunche, Sojourner Truth, and the list goes on.
Today the long walk is an avenue of success. And it’s obvious that greatness has lied within the fences of the Hilltop since the day it was created. Now, the legacy of greatness produced by Howard has permeated across the world. I can’t wait to take my last long walk as a Howard University undergrad student. I have a legacy to continue. Almost 110 days to go.