BLACK HISTORY: Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Why They’re Still Needed
Being that it is Black History month I found it prudent that in the midst of the shade, foolery, and other entertainment foolishness that I carved out a little time to educate my captive audience. I’ve decided to team up with @Anti_Intellect of the Anti Intellect Blog to bring to you guys a few nuggets of Black History. ~ Funky Dineva
As a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, I could not make it through Black History Month without celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The stereotypes that exist about these important Black institutions seem to be endless. It isn’t unusual to hear people complain that HBCUs lack diversity, are merely party schools, or no long necessary in our integrated society. In my opinion, these ignorant claims are reflective of a larger degradation of Black life that exists in our white supremacist society.
There are currently 105 HBCUs in the United States. These 105 schools vary from public to private, two-year to four-year, and even single-gender schools. It is important to remember that most HBCUs arose when racist thinking, primarily in southern states, believed that Black and White students should not be educated together. Due to this thinking, land grants were given for the creation of institutions of higher education for Black students.
It is easy to buy into the notion that HBCUs are no longer relevant in our integrated society where Black students can apply to Predominately White Institutions. This kind of post-racial thinking could not be further from the truth. America may be a less racist society, but racism still exists–especially in our schools. It is still common to hear of Black students being questioned about their enrollment in a PWI. The assumption being that we only made it into those schools because of Affirmative Action or Athletic Scholarships.
In my opinion, HBCUs will never stop playing a vital role in the academic and social lives of Black students. As I mentioned earlier, some people ignorantly think that HBCUs lack diversity. However, I did not appreciate diversity until I enrolled at Florida A&M University. In high school, I was the sole Black student in most of my honors and AP classes. I did not feel as though I were in a diverse environment. Instead, I felt as though I were a token. This is why it was so important for me to attend a HBCU upon graduation. I needed to be surrounded by a diverse array of Black students. At my HBCU, I met Black students from all walks of life. Contrary to popular belief, racial diversity is not the only form of diversity as some people ignorantly assume. HBCU campuses are full of gender diversity, class diversity, diverse sexualities, religious diversity, international diversity, and much more. A straight Black religious student from California is completely different from a gay Black atheist from Florida. Yes, they have racial commonality, but they also have cultural differences that allow them to appreciate and learn from each other’s diversity.
The legacy and future of accomplished HBCU graduates is endless. Luminaries like Toni Morrison, Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee are all HBCU graduates.
HBCUs, like many colleges and universities, continue to face challenges in the 21st century. I don’t want to suggest HBCUs are perfect, because they certainly are not. Many of our beloved Black institutions continue to be besieged by financial mismanagement, a failure to hire and retain visionary leadership, and poor academic performance by students. There is definitely much room for improvement among our HBCUs.
The future of higher education in America is one where the role of HBCUs will remain present and necessary. We will always need affirming academic environments that foreground our race and culture. We will always need schools like Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, Fisk, Bethune Cookman, Tennessee State University, and the many other HBCUs.
I will continue to celebrate HBCUs!
Fun Fact: President Obama will deliver the 2013 commencement address at Morehouse College.
20 Responses to “BLACK HISTORY: Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Why They’re Still Needed”
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How do I link my facebook to these comments.. someone help!!
*sigh* I so wanted to attend an HBCU, but my major won out. HBCU’s not only need to continue to exist, but expand until they can be seen from space.
Proud graduate of The Unsinkable ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY, Home of the Mighty Golden Rams! HBCU’s are still relevant and we need more students to do “big things” to show the rest of the world that not only is attending an HBCU a blessing, it is a life changer! ASU taught me to be independent, stay motivated through adversities and to dress my ass off! (Now don’t act like going to our schools didn’t teach you some kind of fashion sense! If it didn’t, you may need to go back!) Thank you Lord for all of our amazing and inspirational Historically Black Colleges and Universities!
Out of a graduate program that I applied to, 3500 students applied, and of the African American students that were there, 75% of them attended HBCUs. Our class is comprised of many ivy league students and trust me, working alongside them has demonstrated that not only am I equal but in many ways I am ahead of the pact because of special opportunities that I had due to my attendance at an HBCU.
I love that I graduated from an HBCU. Both my parents graduated from the same HBCU in the 1960s when no other White institution would dare to give them a chance. I was accepted into Cornell but made the decision to attend an HBCU because I was tired of being around White people all day long. Were there students there that probably couldn’t get into other institutions? Definitely. However, once everyone graduated, those who could make it through, did, and deserved a degree because of it. Let us not forget that HBCUs produce the majority of African American students that go on to receive professional degrees in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Also, last time I checked, in 2006, HBCUs still produce the majority of Black undergraduate students that go on to become doctors, lawyers, and dentists. Numbers don’t lie. I say that when Black students’ chances of entering one of these fields becomes equal at non-HBCUs we can question their purpose. However, when we are only represented by 4% in some of these fields, HBCUs still serve a purpose. HBCUs should and need to be proud of what they continue to do for our community. Our president may be Black but let us not forget the more things change the more they stay the same.
Sorry for the dissertation
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I am a proud alumnus of Florida A&M University and this post could’ve been written by me. It’s sad to here of Lauren’s experience but mine was quite different. There will always be those students who are there for non-acadmic reasons, but they ultimately drop out or decide to become studious and eventually graduate. My alma mater is rich in history and I took advantage of it. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything and I’m grateful for those opportunities.
I always wanted to go to a historically black college but my parents didnt approve. They said they are not sending me out of state so I can dance with canes, step dance or be in stuck up little clicks putting on airs when I am supposed to be studing. Apparently southern black colleges are more known for step contest than education in NYC.
because racism still exist no need for a monologue
I feel that if WE( strong products of HBCUs) need to make it known that we are products of them and that he have a high standard to uphold. Trust me, everyone knows that I went Jackson State University.
HBCU’s need to be a lil more picky in the candidates they accept. Only select those who project excellence! Let slackers step their game up before accepting to university!
I don’t play because my mentors didn’t play with me. They told it like it was. Since I work with black males and persistence, I wante to go to an HBCU to better prepare myself for tht corner office as a Dean of Students. At Morgan State these women still tell it
Like it is and I’m 33 and like damn … How many moms I got!
Jonni… Congrats on your doctorate I kno you will hold our students to higher standards!
Brandy I agree it’s with you. this is an issue with the entire university system. But HBCU’s are precious and students need to value their time there. I kno it’s cliche but ppl fought hard for these type of institutions to exist. Point blank if you don’t wanna learn. Stop waiting the governments money and get a trade! But don’t diminish the image of HBCU’s
Well got damn but u told that Lauren. That’s why my doctorate is in Higher Ed. Admin!
Lauren that’s not a HBCU issue, that’s a generational issue. I’m actually a department chair at a college and these students act like I owe them the world and that they do not need to follow the guidelines at hand.
yes we do as a graduate of Howard University I learned a lot that I would not had at a diverse school. One the frat and sorority at a black college is way better than at any other type of college and the classes were more competitive plus just being around people from all areas that looked like me was the best. I had a roommate my freshman year from Congo and she freaked out when she saw snow for the first time I learned a lot about her culture and she became very americanized quick and to this day we still communicate.
I apologize in advance for this dissertation lol however this story lit a fire in me! I too am a Rattler and although FAMU wasn’t my first choice I’m am glad I was steered in its direction. Ppl often ask me if I would do it all over again. And the answer is NO! Not Bc of the negative media, or the financial issues… But Bc of the caliber of student at today’s HBCU. I moved to Miami and had the privilege to work on the campus of FMU and it drove me “down to the bar” as you would say! The students have no interest in the learning process. College is a chore instead of a privilege and an honor these days. And this attitude must be changed! The same goes for the students at FAMU. Don’t get me wrong. Not all students express this attitude. I believe the process of accepting students to these HBCU’s needs to change. Bc it seems like anyone who made it through high school can become accepted. It’s becoming 13th grade for black students. It’s becoming hard to take these students seriously when they don’t come to class and when they do they don’t want to participate, haven’t done their assignments, sleep, and are dressed like they are about to be in someone’s music video. On top of that today’s students don’t understand and appreciate this history of our HBCU! I asked some students on FAMU’s campus to name 2 previous presidents and they had no idea! Nor did they know or understand what FAMC was. We can’t let just anyone represent our legacy! HBCU’s are a precious commodity and we need to treat them as such and not allow just anyone to wear our letters across their chest!
I needed to be in the majority for once in my life with all the love and positive feedback and the occassional tongue lashing when needed. I wasn’t lost in the numbers. Wouldn’t trade those years for nothing in the world!
Because thy actually TEACH our black students and care. I am a product of an HBCU with a bachelors and a masters. I went to a PWI and the experience was not great. HBCU not only educate you but it lays a foundation for your life.
And I’m a doctoral candidate at an HBCU.
Because they graduate the majority of black students!