The speaker begins to make a charge to its audience about the importance of our generation. He stated as youth at Howard we are the best of the best so our success must be measured by more than just material processions and money. This statement is of significance because our generation concerns itself with the monetary side of success. Our music and culture is demonstrative of this. However, in order for our people to advance and for America to advance you must give back. This correlates to the concept of social commitment. Not only must you be successful but you must help enable the success of others. In the next phase of the speech our speaker related this to the story of Iwa.
Iwa, or the story of Iwa, is an ancient African story passed on generation to generation. It describes the concept of paying homage and its importance in the African society. Paying homage relates to the previous concept giving back to the next generation. However, homage also pertains to giving back to those who have paved the path for you. Furthermore, the story of Iwa symbolically displays the important virtues in African society. In the story it is stated the Iwa is your being and if you lose Iwa you lose everything. This statement was followed by a quote which states “A man of character is a man of wealth” and “if a man has no character then everything he owns belongs to someone else”. In actuality, Iwa is your character. Thus, these points lament the importance of character in traditional African societies.
By: Stanford Fraser
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