Disclaimer: I want you guys to know that I've been ready to write this post since my first day in Kwame Ture Student Center. I've waited to post this until after the protest is over, for I wanted to enjoy the experience without my journalistic distractions. This will not include any names of anyone for their safety and legal purposes. This post is strictly based on my views and experiences.
For anybody that attends Howard University, you know how crazy and f'd up this school is. From the students to the administration, you can always expect the unexpected. A couple of weeks ago, I've experienced a whole new side of Howard culture that I've been waiting to see. Living in the administration building for a sit-in protest had gradually made itself the best experience I ever had on this campus.
I feel like I don't have to say much, especially for those who have been on social media. Then again, for those who don't know, Howard got caught up in a corruption scandal whereas a student by the [unfortunate] name of Tyrone got caught with over half a million dollars in scholarships and grants. Some of them scholarships didn't even exist. As you can imagine, people who are struggling to stay at Howard because of financial holds [ex: me AF!] were mad as hell. It's bad enough we don't have enough housing for everyone, but damn y'all letting a student and the administration on free money?
We all had one thought in mind: B*TCH BETTER HAVE MY MONEY.
Immediately following the Tyrone banter on Twitter, I was hyped up and ready to be about some action. I knew my associates in HUResist would have something cooking up to take back our school once and for all. It was no doubt in my mind the day I stepped into the meeting about the next steps after the scandal. Equally infuriated as myself, over 50 students showed up to the meeting ready to hear HU Resist out. I personally did not have to hear much; knowing HUResist's capabilities and purpose long before the meeting assured me that this was for the greater good of the students and the Mecca.
The plan was set in action by the next day. We tried a different strategy: A darty. Howard students love darties, so why not inform and have fun? Unfortunately, we got shut down by campus police and the staff in Blackburn; however, we didn't stop. We began our rally against administration. I remember walking away to branch off to the administration building before the rest of my peers marched to the A building chanting. They knew we, the concerned students of the university, were coming. They locked their doors and had campus police guarding the doors of the administration building.
I was aware of what was about to go down, but I was shocked by the aftermath. As soon as my peers arrived marching to the building, I remember campus police running into the building (because we took over and they wasn't ready!) and me just running in to open the doors. A bunch of students poured into the lobby of the administration building. Administration could only watch us. They were powerless against a ton of students singing "Tyrone" by Erykah Badu and "Bitch Better Have My Money" by Rihanna. We were not leaving until our demands were met.
The vibe for the rest of the time on was immaculate. We had somebody on the aux, we had light snacks coming in during the early stages of occupation, and most of all...we had each other. We went on until the building successfully closed for the business day. Not gonna lie, I didn't expect to be sleeping in the administration building for a week from the rally. But I was more than happy that I did. It was bussin'. We had the pizza coming, drinks, and games. We were okay. We were empowered.
The sit in was amazingly organized. We turned the building we all struggled in into a clubhouse. Each floor was different:
- First Floor: Usually loud AF, the turn up spot. The food was here. This was usually the more "social" floor.
- Second Floor: Femmes Only. Anybody who identified with the femme identity resided on this floor.
- Third Floor: The quiet floor. People usually came up here to sleep in a quieter space or to just get away from the craziness downstairs.
- Ground Floor: Yet another chill space. We held lectures in here, as well as the Easter Sunday service.
- Basement: Another quiet space away from the madness.
The space was so inclusive. We had gender liberated bathrooms, and we had no discrepancies with such. We always addressed our pronouns in meetings or whenever we spoke, and we all were tolerant of everybody's differences that was enforced by the community agreements. We had so much fun amongst ourselves outside of our duties of both school work and securing the building from staff other than maintenance from coming in. Leadership of HUResist worked day in and day out, updating us on the meetings with the Board of Trustees. In the meantime to keep our spirits alive, we did twerk-outs, a party, a show, and even an open mic session. We enjoyed lectures, art therapy, and more. It was a student center that we needed. Lo and behold the administration's new ["temporary"] name became the Kwame Ture Student Center.
It seemed like our movement grew to the general public, to where we received donations almost every hour. We were greeted with food, endless gallons of water, and snacks. Legal Outreach came to support us with Know Your Rights knowledge, as well as medical people coming to support us with first aid necessities and toiletries. People donated charging stations, sleeping bags, and much more. Donations seemed to skyrocket after Rihanna retweeted the video of us singing "Bitch Better Have My Money". I was SHOOK that my queen acknowledged our situation.
Rihanna wasn't the only one who supported us; we received support from Khleo Thomas on Easter, who came out on his own to see us and hear our side of what's going on. It was amazing to see how much outreach we created; people cared. People stood in solidarity with us. Past Howard student protestors from 1989 and 1968 came to speak to us. It truly connected the past to the present.
Our numbers grew as the days went on. Students who doubted us showed up, we turned haters into believers. That was the best feeling. They didn't understand until they came to see the magic for themselves. I know personally I lost respect for some of the people I knew for their shallow reasoning for not supporting, but you can't force everyone to be on your side. Right?
We went long and strong for eight and a half days before we finally came to an agreement on Friday. Wayne Frederick was still gonna be the president, but we got what we wanted: Student Power. Eight out of NINE demands were met, including a tuition freeze until 2020. What did we do? THAT.
It was amazing to see how struggle could bring unity. This is what my ancestors fought for. They stopped being complacent, and worked towards better circumstances for themselves and their community. This protest made me realize that we all have a bigger purpose. It made me realize that I need to make a difference in this world. Not for me, but for everyone else around me. I learned the true meaning of sacrifice, and since this experience I've been ready to see what I can do for this world.
To the Kwame Ture Student Center, may you live on forever.
Comments