Historically Black Colleges and Universities are diversifying, furthering their mission of inclusion
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Posted By: How May I Help You NC on July 01, 2014 By Edward T. Bowser | ebowser@al.com When I walked across the campus of Virginia's Norfolk State University for the first time as a 17-year-old high-school grad, I wanted three things: -- A good education -- To build a foundation for a thriving career -- And I wanted to have a "black college experience" - although, admittedly, I didn't know what a "black college experience" was at the time. It was just something my mentors said I should cherish, so I went for it. It took me a few years to figure out exactly what they meant. But hey, college is about finding yourself - and others too. Norfolk State University is one of 106 public and private Historically Black Colleges, or HBCUs, across the nation. They were born of necessity following the Civil War, becoming the only educational option for African-Americans who were denied enrollment at white institutions. Those schools allowed bright, eager students to kick down doors that barricaded their success. Not only did they help establish a black middle class, they created a culture of pride and self-worth that was otherwise non-existent. It's part of that elusive "black college experience." Centuries after African-Americans fought for inclusion, it's clear we've made progress across the board. A recent study from CNN.com shows that one in four students at traditionally black schools in the U.S. is of a race other than black. There's a huge misconception that HBCUs only enroll black students. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the CNN study proves it. Some Alabama schools are experiencing that change too. While white enrollment at Birmingham's Miles College has held steady at about 1.6 percent for the past four years, Gadsden State Community College bucks that trend - 71 percent of their students are white and just 21 percent are black. Critics see these diverse trends as a sign that HBCUs have outlived their usefulness. In an era where inclusiveness is embraced and predominantly white schools are opening their arms to minority students, black students have more options. HBCUs aren't seen as a necessity and, at worst, are categorized as a relic of our nation's dark past. But HBCUs still have a key role in our country. These colleges and universities were founded in the pursuit of inclusion, where students were taught not only to embrace their own history but our country's diversity as a whole. Those lessons will hold true as schools open their doors to a wider array of cultures. Besides, I'm a witness. My days at Norfolk State University allowed me to have an experience totally unlike friends at predominantly white universities. I had professors who were HBCU grads and never confined the success and struggles of African-Americans to just history classes. They spoke about their personal journey and provided guidance for students seeking direction. They were visible representatives of progress. And there's nothing like an HBCU college football experience, where spectacle is just as important as scoring. Halftime shows were truly the main event - marching bands were even bigger stars than the players. But my greatest HBCU experience didn't come from being surrounded by black culture: it was from immersing myself in an environment - better yet, a community - that welcomed diversity. I'm the product of a prominently black public school system, with a couple of white students sprinkled in each class. Many of them became friends. But at college, as I grew into adulthood, the multicultural friendships I made grew beyond trivial things like video games and fruit snacks of middle school. In college, as I met friends of different ethnic and faith backgrounds, I was able to learn and embrace what makes them unique. They looked at the world differently than I did. It wasn't intimidating, it was enlightening. We learned from each other. And it was the atmosphere of acceptance established by HBCUs that set the table for those conversations. For me, the "black college experience" wasn't so much "black" as it was "diverse" - with that diversity coming from white, Hispanic, American Indian, South American, Pacific Islander and Kenyan cultures. It's an experience worth cherishing. HBCUs were born from an unjust system of exclusion. Even as our nation evolves, the mission of HBCUs is unchanged - to shine as a beacon for educational opportunities no matter creed or color. Those are the principles that built those schools. Now, they have the opportunity to broaden their reach. Inclusion is the next step in cultural understanding. HBCUs should be excited to lead the way. Source: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/0... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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