Self-Actualization

Dr. Segun Gbadegesin was extremely intriguing Tuesday, September 28. His props helped to liven up his lecture on Self-actualization, communal responsibility and character. He first introduced the Talking Drum. I believe that is correct; his accent was thick. I originally wrote down Token Drum, but I believe Talking Drum is more befitting. Talking Drum is more befitting because that is what the drum seemed to do. Dr. Gbadegesin spoke a sentence such as "How are you?" and the Talking drum, through its inflection in rhythym and bass, repeating the greeting. This drum, to the untrained ear, is unassuming. However, to those who know of its ability, it is a like a phone line passing on information. The word "Ma'at" infiltrated my thinking again today. The first time I heard of the word was in the lecture of Dr. Carr. This time, however, there was a little more added to Ma'at besides its meaning of truth. This day when learned of the Principles of Ma'at which some believe is the basis of Christianity's Ten Commandments. It is not hard to believe that The Ten Commandments could have take inspiration from the Principles of Ma'at since a lot of the ideas are similar. Wrongdoings like stealing, adultry, lying, and murder are mentioned in both the Ten Commandments and the Principles of Ma'at. I really enjoyed the Youruba folktale of Iwa and all that we learned of posessing Good Character. However, my favorite quote of the day is: "When you control a man's thinking, you control his actions." You won't have to tell a man to enter through the back, because he'll carve his own back entrance if he thinks it to be the true order of the world.

Alexandria Igwe