Dr. Carr Presentation

Tehran Almasi
02618922


Today in freshman seminar I had the privilege of listening to a lecture from the esteemed Dr. Carr. His lecture focused on the ideas of African Americans as a people needing to start seeing our history from before slavery. This stood out to me as extremely important, because I pride myself on the knowledge that our people were doing great things thousands of years before the Greeks and Romans. But I am a minority in this way of thinking amongst my peers in Chicago. The proof and explanations of different words and concepts were mind blowing. He also goes on to speak about how the problem with our people is that we are always fighting a battle about race. When we should in fact say "the purpose of life is not to prove my humanity." This to me is the way to mental freedom. If I am able the accomplish that I will be able to live life for what it is. Dr. Carr is an extremely dynamic teacher and I am glad that he graced us with his knowledge. I will be taking some of his classes soon.

charles harris dr. carr leacture reflections

Charles Harris


02653030



On Tuesday morning I woke up at 8:55, knowing I would be late to class I decided to lie in bed till 9. After I put my clothes on I began my long walk from drew hall. Once I got to my freshmen Seminar class I was pondering why the teacher from last week was no where to be found and why there was a weird man reading notes I thought I was dreaming still, in some form of inception. Things got a little better once he introduced the speaker for the class, his name was Dr. Carr. As he was introduce Dr. Carr’s credentials were said which I found very impressive. Dr. Carr began his lecture and from this point I was blown away. I learned more About African history and effects on the earth in the 45 minutes he spoke than in the many years of history class. It was powerful information that could easy sway a person major to African studies. My favorite quotes was “ don’t let people tell you Africans Americans started off with slavery in American because that makes everything that happen after look great”. I learn Africans were the first to speak, read and write. The most impressive thing during the lecture would have to be him translating hieroglyphics as if it was his native tongue it was truly Amazing. Dr. Carr gives off life when he speaks you can tell he really has a passion for his work which I cant say the same for every professor on earth. I can easily tell why he was awarded professor of the year multiple times. I was very lucky to have him lecture my Freshmen Seminar class.

Michael Carney Reflection

Siitting in class listening to Dr.Carr presentaion overwhelmed me greatly. I felt as if I was learining something new. After the presentation I felt educated and also aware of diffrent meanings in Africa. I feel as if Africa is hour birth place and we need to know our history. Dr.Carr expressed in great details the evidence and finding that came from Africa. The worlds oldest artifacts have came from Africa. Many people seem to overlook africa as a whole, even though majority of what we learned have came from Africa. Africa is my home and Deep down it is the creator of who I am. We all need realize as a race that we are not majority and we have to stand up for what and who we are. Im glad Dr. Carr came and spoke which made me more aware of my african side and also the history.

Arick D. Scott's Reflection

        After hearing Dr. Carr’s lecture, one may feel like he/she learned something new or simply reviewed material that they were taught before. I, personally, left the lecture feeling enlightened and uplifted. I never had a strong reason to feel a sense of African pride. I believe that society slanders African culture, history, and universal influence simply because it was so detrimental to social development. If one were to honestly take a moment to reflect on historical events and think of the origin of life, he/she would initially start at European influence, that is so apparent in modern society, but would always find his/herself deep within the roots of Africa. The world’s oldest evidence of human remains was found in Africa. If scientists and biologists can support the idea that every cell has to be reproduced by another cell through chemical reactions, then this idea leads into the larger idea that every human was created from another. Obviously, everyone is genetically connected to our common ancestor, commonly known as “Lucy,” but everyone seems to overlook the fact that this fossil was found in Africa, which makes everyone of African descent. Now that anyone can be considered African, there shouldn’t be a reason for anyone to hold education as a low-priority. Education and intelligence are key principles to African culture and everyone should humbly stride toward intellectual success before anyone arrogantly strides towards artificial, financial success. Society’s set goals are corrupted and leave many individuals with a sense of failure simply because of their net worth, gross income, or any materialistic items that reflects his/her income. If education were the true goal for everyone, then no one would fail and success would be a true reflection of his/her dedication.