Ravyn Hardwick

Professor Thomas
Capstone: NewsVision
21 March 2022
The Long Walk Blog
Before watching “The Long Walk” documentary, I had not thought about how significant
the walk I will take this upcoming May truly is. The Long Walk is not only significant to the
Howard University community but to the Black community as well. Howard University is Black
excellence so those who take the Long Walk encompass just that. The Long Walk is more than
just “a path on the main campus, it is a place making legacy of Howard University”. Howard
University was founded in 1867 by General Oliver O. Howard who had a true vision for the
school. He was instrumental in getting the federal government to support Howard’s expansion.
The architecture of the university today still coincides with the vision that was set out in 1867.
The architects who built the university studied gates, cathedrals, funerals and more to ensure that
Howard would show that “this is a great place”. Howard University definitely shows just that
and continues to be an exemplary representation of what African Americans have done over the
years.
“The Long Walk” documentary was very informative and taught me many things that I
did not know. One thing mentioned that stood out the most to me was that “there was a time
when freshmen could not step on The Long Walk until they became sophomores”. This was a
famous physical attribute of Howard University for many years and hearing about it made me
wish that this attribute was still a thing today. I believe that at such a historical school, such as
Howard, certain traditions should remain constant.
I was a little upset to learn that my fellow class of 22’ and I will not be making our Long
Walk on the Yard this year. However, I will personally still consider my walk across that stage at
Commencement on May 7th as my Long Walk. When I reflect on my time at Howard
University, I think of the 4 years I committed to sleepless nights, early mornings, and endless
assignments. I also think about all the happier times such as all the great organizations I was able
to join, the lifelong friends I met, Homecoming, Springfest, and all the Soul Food Thursday’s.
Howard has truly been home for me since I stepped foot on the campus in 2018. It still seems
unreal that I will be graduating in a little less than 2 months. Nonetheless, I am so proud to be
nearing the end of my Howard journey and becoming an official alumna.