TUESDAY 8/19/25 RunDatBack
August is usually a time for fresh notebooks, new routines, and that first week on campus where students catch up with friends and explore the city. For freshmen, it’s all about finding your way around, meeting people,
and getting a feel for college life. But at Howard University, the vibe feels different this year.
In a recent chat with Roland Martin, Dr. Africana Carr talked about an email that went out to Howard students, faculty, and staff. The message? Carry your ID at all times — not just for campus access, but because the National Guard has been deployed in D.C.
For many, that hit differently. Dr. Carr even compared it to the pass laws of apartheid South Africa, where people had to show papers just to move freely. It’s a heavy thought to start a school year with, and it’s easy to see how it could take some of the excitement out of going back to class.
But here’s the thing: Dr. Carr also reminded us that while progress often comes with pain, we don’t always have to sacrifice lives for change. The difference between a moment and a movement? Vision, unity, and persistence.
So to Howard students — and to every student heading to college this fall — here’s the message: stay safe, stay grounded, and don’t let anyone reduce you to anything less than the scholar you are. You carry more than an ID card; you carry the future. Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and make this school year one for the books.
