Some of the top black institutions, like Spelman and Morehouse College and Hampton and Howard University, are beginning to become increasingly integrated with other races and ethnic groups. Many are beginning to believe these black institutions amongst others have lost their niche in which they were founded upon. These institutions are no longer here to serve the needs of African American students; instead they are presently assisting the needs of all races including whites, Hispanics, and many others that are seen as the minority at HBCUs. Once a breeding ground for some of the most prominent African Americans and over eighty percent of undergraduate African American students, HBCUs are now a haven for these minorities. I pose the question: Is it true that these Historically Black Colleges and Universities have indeed forgotten what they were founded upon or are they opening up doors that predominantly white institutions have done for some of our people?
Personally, I believe that HBCUs have become blinded by the idea of integrating their campuses and as a result they have become unconscious of the negative effects of their actions on their institutions.
HBCU campuses all around the United States are beginning to become a lot more colorful. Many of these students are enrolled at these schools because they are awarded “minority” scholarships, while others choose to register for the HBCU experience. Whatever the case, the numbers of these minorities have been rapidly increasing since the 1990s. The integration of HBCU campuses has begun to change the scenes of campus life and activities.
For example, the newly crowned Miss Hampton University for the 2009-2010 academic school year is not an African American, but a young Hawaiian student. This has led to great controversy because many feel that the face of Hampton University should reflect the history of the school, which is that of African American ancestry. Another example of how HBCUs are slowly evolving could have been seen at Morehouse College in 2008 when they had their first white valedictorian in the school’s 141-year history. From these occurrences at HBCUs it must be asked again: Have these colleges and institutions forgotten what they were founded upon? The answer is YES. HBCUs have become oblivious to the mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities by actively changing the meaning at these schools.
HBCUs were founded because there was no structured higher education system in act for African Americans. After the Civil War there was much encouragement for higher education for African Americans, and the Plessey v. Ferguson court case made the idea of having black institutions into a reality. The verdict of this particular case granted the “separate but equal” doctrine whose main goal was to state that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional if and only if they were equal. This was quickly extended to cover many different areas including restaurants, theatres, restrooms, and public schools. Now as we look at the history of the formation of HBCUs, the ruling can be made that today, HBCUs have lost their purpose and as a result slowly lose their credibility from their students and alumni.
10 comments:
Personally, when i applied to Spelman, I did not register the fact that it was an HBCU. I just thought that I would get the best education because the focus was on African American women. I didn't think of all the other experiences that come with an HBCU. Now that I have experienced it, I do not want to go to school with white people anymore. I know that sounds blunt, but its the truth. I don't mind other ethnicities coming, but I want Spelman to keep the focus on the growth and development of African American women. I have a special bond with my school, and I feel it's because it is a HBCU. If the title was removed, I would be upset only because we do not have to live up to the standards of White society. I'm proud to see other ethnicities in the AUC.I just like the way it is now.
--Shanika Simmons
I agree with Courtney Warren. HBCUs are an important part of the African American community. There was a time when we as blacks were not allowed in whit institutions, so we had to make our own institutions. There is so much history in this school. It is important that we keep the historic value of the school in play. The fact that Sasha has heard that we are thinking of diminishing HBCU from the title of Spelman is ridiculous! I would be highly upset if that were to happen and I would be so dissapointed. Now when it comes to the diversity of the school. It does seem like every year the school begins to accept a more diverse class. I do not mind that so much, but I do not want it to get to a point where its 50/50. I love the experience of an all black college and it would really be dissapointing to see so much diversity that Spelman starts looking like SUNY Albany. We need to keep the university and the prestige in the family and that means keeping the majority black.
I agree with Courtney Warren. HBCUs are an important part of the African American community. There was a time when we as blacks were not allowed in whit institutions, so we had to make our own institutions. There is so much history in this school. It is important that we keep the historic value of the school in play. The fact that Sasha has heard that we are thinking of diminishing HBCU from the title of Spelman is ridiculous! I would be highly upset if that were to happen and I would be so dissapointed. Now when it comes to the diversity of the school. It does seem like every year the school begins to accept a more diverse class. I do not mind that so much, but I do not want it to get to a point where its 50/50. I love the experience of an all black college and it would really be dissapointing to see so much diversity that Spelman starts looking like SUNY Albany. We need to keep the university and the prestige in the family and that means keeping the majority black.
Nia Newton
I also know that a lot of people are going to say that with the drop of HBCU from Spelman's title will come more donations and scholarships. I would have to disagree. I believe that most of our donations come from almuna and people who donate because we are a Historically Black College that is preparing young African American women. HBCU attracts more donations and so does the number one ranking as an HBCU. I also believe if we got rid of HBCU then are ranking as the number one HBCU would be knocked down to the 100 somethin schools nation wide. Spelman would loose its prestige in the large pool of other diverse campuses. It would be a shame and a dishonor to those before us.
-Nia Newton
I think it is upsetting that HBCUs are actively trying to appeal to other ethnicities. I believe that we still get something very special by attending an HBCU. We gain a cultural experience, freedom from actual and perceived racism, and an education tailored specifically to us. HBCUs have not lost their niche, and they should realize that their historical importance is still relevant. People choose to go to Spelman because it is historically Black. Further, the white, hispanic, and Asian students that come here do so with knowledge that it is historically Black. Spelman will lose many promising students and recruiters who come here specifically looking to be among intelligent women of African decent if it loses sight of its historical purpose. Besides, Spelman still has the ability to be extremely selective among its applicants, so what is the need for appealing to a broader pool of students?
I don't want to go to school with White people either because going to an HBCU has truly allowed me to feel a special bond with my school. However, it so sad to me when many of my Spelman sisters call me crying or have to leave for a semester because of money. If Spelman became a public school, we could get funding from the government and scholarships would increase. Even if Spelman did become public, you have to realize that we would still be a majority Black school. So it would be like going to an HBCU, with the benefits of an HBCU, plus not having to worry about as many student loans after college!! : ) Sounds like a plus to me! : )
I understand and must admit I agree with some of the arguments that you have made, but then again I question could we be being somewhat racist by suggesting we limit the integration of Spelman College. Now I'm going to be honest I would much rather Spelman remain predominately African American, but who are we to exclude individuals from partaking in such a wonderful experience; is that not the basis in which we were founded on? There was a time when we as a people were banned from higher education and if we decide that we will monitor those individuals, of different ethnicities, that we accept are we not taking the same stance as our previous opponents. As for the removal of the HBCU title, I find that utterly ridiculous. That is a part of the history of Spelman College, and to eliminate the title, is to erase a major portion of our history. So overall I’m still straddling the fence on this subject. Although I don’t want to exclude individuals from experiencing the opportunities that I have been awarded I also do not wish to see a school in which strives to create successful African American women loose its focus and/or ultimate goal.
You picked a really interesting topic that I am sure has crossed the minds of many who attend HBCU's. It would have helped your argument if you would have gone into more detail of the negative outcomes if the HBCU title is taken off. I feel that your argument needed more support. The structure of your argument although was very interesting and captivated the attention of the reader, if I did not agree with you on the issue your argument would not have been very persuasive. Your argument seemed to be more informative than actually persuasive. Overall, the topic and structure was good.
By: Raavin R Evans
I think you bring up a very interesting topic. I have noticed that this year, especially, there has been an influx of white students at Morehouse College. I believe this is happening because of the downward turn in the economy. White students value higher education just as black students do and minority scholarships make an education very accessible to them.
At Spelman, I have noticed two exchange students. One is European and the other is Asian. I do not think that their presence on campus is a bad thing or a threat to the traditions of our campus life. I have also noticed that non-African-American students rarely participate in activities outside of the classroom. Its rare for me to see these "minority" students at market friday, hump wednesday, or coronation. And to a certain extent I am glad.
On the other hand, if HBCUs heavily encourage non-African- American students to attend these grand institutions, I would be offended if none of those students wanted to participate in our extra-curricular activities. If 30% of our campus were made up of white female students, they would either assimilate to our culture, abstain from our social activities, or create their own culture within the Spelman Community.
I believe it would be more detrimental to the HBCU for non-African American students to attend our institutions and change our culture than for them to attend and fit into the culture.
Morehouse having a white valedictorian did not affect the traditions of the institution. The few minority students that attend now are not affecting homecoming, the student government, or the Maroon Tiger newspaper. They are just students trying to get an education.
The most important thing for HBCUs to do is to stress that the colleges and universities were founded for African-American advancement. Even if "minority" students attend these instuitions, they will ultimately have to accept that they are the minority. The school will accomodate these students but the student majority will do everything in their power to maintain the traditions of historically black colleges and universities.
I agree with your standpoint but I do not feel that HBCU's have completely lost their niche. I think it is interesting to see white people and or other ethnicities attend a black college because I feel it puts them in our shoes for a change. Now I am not saying that I want the school to be populated with white people but I think it is good for the world to see that although HBCU's are for african americans that we are also diversified.
A.Calloway
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