Founder’s Library:
I say I am in search of a book.
The librarian says, “Take a closer look.
“The book you need is in the back.”
But on my way I pass a stack.
And another, and another, and another one.
Scared, I say, “My search is done!”
Bethune Annex:
I stay in Bethune Annex, and personally, I don’t think that it’s all it’s cracked up to be. Everyone is always bragging about the air conditioning, yet they turn it off half the time anyway. And we may have fewer roommates than our sisters that stay in the Quad, but with fewer roommates come fewer chances to make friends. And yes, we do have our own cafeteria, but that makes it all the more easier to gain the freshman 15. I enjoy staying at the Annex, I just wish it didn’t have such a cocky attitude, because it really isn’t as great as it seems.
Miner Hall:
When I went to the location where Miner Hall once stood, I realized the significance of the building, for my family at least. My grandmother is so proud of her AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority) heritage and sisterhood, and she is constantly trying to persuade me to pledge. It wasn’t until I looked up Miner Hall later on, that I found out this was the place that the first members of the AKA sorority were initiated. It gave me a funny feeling to realize that there is so much history at this university, and that I am walking over it every day.
Howard Hall:
On my first visit to Howard University, my mother and I were walking on Georgia Avenue and I noticed a building that seemed a bit out of place. Amidst all of the newer looking, brick buildings came a house. At least that’s what I thought it was. Actually, the first time I visited I thought it was where the president lived, and I really liked the look of it. Upon researching it later, I discovered that it was indeed a house: the house of the founder of Howard University, General Otis Howard. It is one of the oldest buildings on campus, and it has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. However, it now functions as the University’s Alumni Center.
Howard University Hospital:
Every time I see the hospital, I know that I am halfway there. Going from the Annex to the Metro can be stressful, depending on the time of day, but whenever I see the hospital, I know that I am not far. I remember the first week of school, we were out on the Metro everyday, passing by the hospital at least twice a day. We’d often hear ambulances roaring down the street and we’d see them swing right into the driveway of the hospital. We took it for granted; it was just a place marker for us. I guess we didn’t stop and take in the significance of the building. A hospital known for its trauma center will see many gunshot victims daily, and we used the hospital as a landmark. There were people struggling to stay alive, and people struggling to keep people alive, and every time we’d walk past, we’d grin and say, “Not long now!” When instead, we should have said, “I hope the people inside are getting better.”
