By: Fawn Renee
Friday, October 14th, marked the beginning of Howard University's
acclaimed homecoming festivities: an event African-American men and
women around the country look forward to each year. Howard is known
for hosting the best parties, having the hottest artists and
celebrity guests, and the remarkable comradery among its students
and alumni. Unfortunately, the long-awaited week of excitement ended
with a bang: literally.
While the homecoming events, hosted by the Homecoming Steering
Committee, met with great success, from the pageant to the ever-
popular fashion show and yardfest, the social activities, extending
outside of the University, left many students in shock, despair and
disarray. Many entertainment companies were hosting events with
celebrity guests-Mark and Taz, with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Usher,
Hypnotik Entertainment, in conjunction with the Usual Suspectz, with
Jadakiss, and LGI Entertainment, in conjunction with Mad Power Unit,
with Dipset. One such event drew such an overwhelmingly large crowd
that attendees were trampled in the process of trying to enter the
club. Some even wound up injured.
LGI Entertainment in conjunction with Mad Power Unit, threw their
second annual, after hours, step show after-party, on Saturday,
hosted by the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
As was the case last year, the party drew an exceedingly large
crowd. It took place at one of DC's hottest nightclubs, Fur
Nightclub. But what many hoped would be a great celebration for the
defending step-show champions, turned out to be a stifling mob of
anxious party-goers.
Gena George, a senior film production major, from Atlanta, Ga. was
one of the thousands of people seeking entry into Fur
Nightclub. "You would think that Howard, being one of the best
HBCU's in the country, and holding such a revered event as the step-
show, would have been better prepared for the magnitude of people
coming to the club," George said. "I feel bad for the people that
were trampled, but what did the people throwing the party expect
when they gathered thousands of people, probably already intoxicated
by 2am, in a small alley behind a club, with minimal security?"
Another disheartening event, which took place during the week's
activities, was the multiple robberies. Many Howard University
students found it dangerous to step outside of their homes and
respective dorms to participate in any festivities, for fear of
being robbed. There were an estimated total 20 robberies
surrounding Howard University, during the weekend alone.
Michael Arceneaux, a senior print journalism major, from Houston,
Texas shared his experience. "My friend and I were leaving Love
Nightclub, Friday night when, as we were getting out of the car, we
were surprised my two men, both holding guns to our head," Arceneaux
said. "They took my digital camera, wallet, along with my friend's
cell phone."
It's very sad when students are fearful of their lives, by simply
living them. One would hope that during such a popular event as
Howard University's homecoming that the University, along with the
Metropolitan Police Department, would have taken the proper
precautions-providing extra security around the clubs, monitoring
highly concentrated streets, posting patrol cars along Georgia Ave.,
etc. Many students are suffering from this mere lack of concise
judgment. It seems that the mayhem not only affected students and
alumni attending the various homecoming festivities, but also
celebrity guests who came to partake in the fun.
Cam'Ron, CEO of Diplomat Records, was shot around 2:10, Sunday
morning as he was leaving H20 Nightclub and Restaurant, en route to
Love Nightclub. According to eye witnesses, three males attempted to
car jack the artist, known as "Killa Cam," for his blue Lamborghini.
When Cam'ron refused to comply, the assaulters began to fire
multiple shots at the vehicle, which he was in. Reports from 2
Metropolitan Police Officers, who wish to remain anonymous, say that
the artist was shot at least two times, once in each arm. Cam'ron
was sent to Howard University Hospital, where he was met by fellow
Dipset members, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones. According to his
publicist, at Susan Blond, he is doing well and looking forward to a
quick recovery.
"DC is steadily building upon its bad reputation, and Howard is
beginning to become associated with all this negativity," said Aura
Harewood, a Howard alumna. "Homecoming changes year by year. It
seems almost impossible for grown men and women to go out and have a
nice time, without unecessary drama, these days."
Homecoming 2005, at Howard University, was a memorable one, indeed,
but for all the wrong reasons. From shootings to robberies, a dark
cloud overshadowed much of the hard work put into making this year's
homecoming a reminiscent one. Hopefully this will serve as a pivotal
adjustment in the planning, judgment and responsibility of
University officials, students, alumni, and future homecoming
attendees. Until next year, chill out and be safe.
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