The Renaissance man with a Social Conscience

During Morehouse College’s 2008 new student orientation, the 10^th President of Morehouse, Dr. Robert M. Franklin stated with a resounding voice

“You are the pride of the village, and the hope of a nation…Morehouse Men are Renaissance men with a social conscience. Renaissance men contribute to the revised standards of human knowledge and achievement, while the Morehouse Man additionally serves as the living voice of social justice that informs us of what is right and good and true for society, not simply individuals”  

Shortly after he concluded his speech, I entered a world of reflection. I began to examine my own life in the context of his speech because like the great philosopher Socrates I too believe that “an unexamined life is not worth living.” Dr. Franklin’s words injected a peculiar feeling of euphoria into my veins. I admired his call for more than 800 new students at Morehouse to transcend themselves in order to transcend our world. Engaging citizens in our world to see life as something greater than their own has been a theme of primary importance to me for many years. I want to answer the call of Dr. Franklin, and though my affiliation with the college as a semester exchange student will never allow me to reach the ranks of becoming a Morehouse Man, I still wish to lead the life of a Renaissance man with a social conscience.

I shall never forget the words of President Robert Franklin during his 2008 new students welcome address. He said that an education at Morehouse “will enable you to serve others… {Morehouse is) your house at your service… Up you mighty men, lets conquer this world.” As I listened to his words, I discovered that something strange is happening to me while being here at Morehouse. Indeed, something strange is happening to my intellect, my speech, my dress, my code of conduct, my confidence, my passions and my concern for justice in the world. All of these qualities are slowly yet considerably maturing. I believe what the brothers here call the “Morehouse Mystique” is quickly falling upon me.  

Here, I have carefully listened and learned the magnificent story of a college that has “been a candle in the dark for over 140 years.” Morehouse College, an institution that began in the basement of a church has somehow produced some of the greatest minds, leaders, and men of distinction that this world has ever seen and has done so through intensely focusing on the personal development of men of African descent. In spite of the college’s rough beginnings, it has evolved into the premier institution of higher education for educating Black male college students.

At new student orientation we were told that if one looks to their left and to their right we would see a network of some of world’s future renowned Black male professionals forming right before our eyes. And as I looked to my right and I looked to my left, I said to myself the future of our nation is bright. And I said this because as I looked I saw the next Black lawyers, Black politicians, Black doctors, Black businessmen, Black engineers, Black scientists, Black entertainers, Black educators, Black preachers and Black activists all purposed awaiting the opportunity to use their God given talents to confront some of our nation’s most pressing problems. I then knew that with these men we could move our nation to make good on its promise.

If Men of Morehouse supposedly possess the deep internal comprehension of social justice and selflessness I too wish to partake in these ideals. Upon entering Morehouse, I read a vibrant sign which stated “Morehouse College, where renaissance men are born.” I hope this semester will give me a rebirth. Though I cannot pledge myself “to dear Ol Morehouse”, because I have already committed myself to Bates College, an institution that I so dearly love, I do hope that I can pledge myself to being a renaissance man with a social conscience.

Yours in struggle, I am

Brother Phillips

My first days with The Institute

Institute Scholars-class of 2008 and class of 2009

On Saturday May 31^st, 2008, I eagerly arrived for my first day with The Institute for Responsible Citizenship. I entered the Institute with very high expectations. I had been anticipating this moment since my junior year in high school, when a mentor of mine prematurely introduced me to the program and encouraged me to apply. Since then, I have anxiously awaited the opportunity to join the program.

I was initially impressed with the mission of the program, which “is to inspire promising young men to become vigorous advocates of the American ideal, caring men dedicated to serving others, dynamic role models for African American boys losing hope, and leaders with the integrity to stand for real solutions regardless of prevailing sentiment.” I also loved the idea of being around students who wish to lead a life dedicated to service and who also thought exceptionally on issues of social justice. I had believed that I could benefit both personally and intellectually in my ambitions to serve humanity through meeting brothers a part of the program. When I first heard I was accepted to the Institute I became overjoyed. I told all of my closest friends, mentors and family members about the news. I had always wanted to be a part of this program since my junior year in high school and somehow my dreams came true.  

I arrived on the campus of American University with my sister and my mother who drove me three hours up to D.C. from Philly. My mother helped me unpack. The Institute’s program director asked all of the “Institute Scholars” to bring several sports jackets because we would have many formal gatherings, so most of my belongings included these things. I met my roommate Ernie Jolly, a student at Cornell University. Ernie and I immediately clicked. Like me, Ernie serves as the President of his college’s Black Student Union; therefore, we had a lot to talk about concerning this student activity. Ernie also took several courses in African American Studies, therefore we were able to converse a lot on this subject. My other roommate, a track and field all-star, and presidential scholar at the University of Southern California did not arrive until about three weeks into the program because he had to compete in track and field nationals where he did well.

The second day of the program was orientation. At orientation, everyone introduced themselves; we received an overview of what we should expect over the next two months, and later completed a scavenger hunt that took us to numerous historical and national landmarks around Washington, D.C.   I was most impressed with hearing the other brothers in the program present a synopsis on their background and their service in the community. Their achievements were quite outstanding.

Mr. William Keyes, the President and Founder of the Institute noted to us that we represented some of the best and brightest minds in this nation. He told us he was most concerned about “not what we going to be (careers), but I’m concerned about who we going to be.” He was interested in making sure that this program offered an addendum to our social conscious and will mold us into fine gentlemen who overly concern themselves with our world’s most pressing issues.

Within the first few days, I knew I was a part of the right program. I knew God did the right thing by allowing me to participate as a member of The Institute for Responsible Citizenship.

 Yours in the struggle, I am

Brother Phillips

 

 

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship Class of 2009

I recently completed the first summer of my two summer leadership program for Black male college students called, The Institute for Responsible Citizenship www.i4rc.org. Every year, the Institute selects twenty-four of the most promising Black male college students in the nation, who posses great talent and capability to be a part of their program. Members of the Institute, take classes in government and economics, intern at various locations in the nation’s capital, and are treated to meetings with several individuals who work in both the private  and public sector.

This summer I had the opportunity to meet civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Congressman Jesse Watts, civil rights activists Vernon Jordan, former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele, former Ambassador to The Gamibia George Haley and Co-Founder of BET/ Owner of the Washington Mystics Ms. Sheila Johnson. The seniors in the program met Colin Powell, Congressman Charlie Rangel, and some of the brothers met Congressman Danny Davis and Secretary of State Condelezza Rice. In addition, we met various lawyers, non-profit founders, business leaders, and civic leaders.

Summer 2008 was a busy one. I did not have much time to breathe. When we were not interning we were in class, and when we were not in class we had a meeting with a V.I.P. I enjoyed the classes I took and I believe I learned some valuable life lessons from them.

 Most of all, I really enjoyed getting to know all the brothers in my program. Each of them hold a desire to serve as agents of positive social change in their community. I’m certain that all of us will contribute something meaningful to the community. 

 We call each other brothers because during the duration of the 8 week program we truly got to know each other and were able to form bonds similar to a familial one.

  I’m thankful to all of the members of Bates’ staff , faculty and administrators who recommended me for the program. I am extremely blessed that I was selected to be a part of The Institute for Responsible Citizenship.

 Yours in the struggle, I am

  Brother Phillips