When you grow up in a predominantly white community in predominantly white schools surrounded by predominantly white classmates, the prospect of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) seems very promising for people of color, especially those in the Black community. It’s like your transitioning from an environment coated in institutionalized racism that seems to suffocate you at times, to an environment where you’re not only welcome but encouraged to get your education. Being surrounded by classmates and teachers that you can relate not only physically but mentally is a privilege that so many people take for granted. There’s something about transitioning from being the only Black girl in nearly every class to being one in a sea of Black beauty. Teachers that differ dramatically in race and personal experiences
White Teachers that differ dramatically in personal experiences tend to ‘give up’ in a sense on young black students that don’t meet their criteria of ‘excellence’ and whether they mean to or not, racial bias is almost always reflected in their teachings- this can be pretty discouraging, especially at such a young age. But at HBCUs (for the most part) your met with acceptance and diversity and representation, which is extremely important because all too often it is forgotten that we need representation in our schools as well as our media. We are more likely to find role models that motivate us if they share our personal experiences in life, and a lot of the time, we relate more to people that share the color of our skin and the trials and joys that accompany it. It’s the little things really – going to a party and actually enjoying the music, being able to truly bond with teammates without the heavy weight of racist jokes, feeling like you could actually hang out with your classmates outside of class- that make up this tall pillar of acceptance for the black community at HBCUs. A study actually showed that black HBCU graduates are more likely to feel prepared than black students who did not graduate from HBCUs, so I’m not making this stuff up. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to paint this picture of a fantasy land where all hatred and judgment is left behind. Of course, there will always be the inevitable struggle that accompanies every college student, from the harassment to the cliques to the long nights. However, these tribulations are often much easier to handle when you take away the looming factor of institutionalized racism. The professor that always fails you is a lot easier to approach when you don’t hear him murmur racist remarks behind your back. That party that your friend makes you go to is a lot easier to bear when it doesn’t involve a racist theme like ‘thug life’ or ‘hip-hop night’. That one creepy guy that your friend is trying to set you up with is a lot easier to give a chance when he’s not calling you ‘exotic’ or ‘chocolate bunny’ or ‘not like other black women’. This doesn’t solve all problems of college life,as nothing ever really does, but it definitely does help.
HBCUs aren’t for everyone, and I get that. There are some aspects of these particular universities that are just hard to get accustomed to. But what I won’t stand for is when people (often those of Caucasian decent) try to justify their belief of how they are inferior to other State and Ivy Leauge colleges. While they may not be a Harvard or a Yale, they do offer extremely high standards of education that could compete with some Ivy Leagues. HBCUs like Florida A&M University offer one of the best engineering programs in the nation and offer a very note-worthy Pharmacy program while universities like Howard in Washinton D.C offer an excellent Medical program. The point is that the prospect that HBCUs offer a lower education is completely irrelevant. Furthermore, to those who argue that HBCUs are racist in any way, shape, or form- just stop. Reverse racism just doesn’t exist and it’s time for you to accept that. No one says anything to the thousands of Universities across the nation that have nearly all-white student bodies that feed on racism and exclusion, but everyone cries racism once someone tries to bring up Black empowerment in the education system. All I’m saying is that you should check your double standards, and until then I will continue to support HBCUs ’till the end.
