Monday, May 12, 2008 11:32pm EST
Make this your Home Page | RSS 
Why We Still Need Black Colleges
Kevin McGhee (Black College Wire) | Posted May 9, 2008 2:54 PM
According to data from the last census 30 percent of blacks who hold doctorates degrees, 35 percent of black lawyers, 50 percent of black engineers, and 65 percent of black physicians currently in the field all received their educations from HBCUs.
Kevin McGhee is a student at Lincoln University in Missouri.
There has been much talk about whether there is a continued need for historically black colleges and universities. Most agree that they played an instrumental role in the development and integration of blacks into American society, but now, some say our society has matured past the point of needing these institutions.
Lincoln University, then called Lincoln Institute, was established by the 62nd United States Colored Infantry after the Civil War and stands as a testament to black people's resolve and forward thinking. It is a pillar in the capitol of Missouri that stands for change. This was also evident in 1954 when Lincoln University began to allow all qualified students to apply and attend.
One justification for this type of thinking is the decreased enrollment in HBCUs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1972 more than 35 percent of all black students that received a college degree received them from HBCUs. In 2001 that percentage had fallen to under 25 percent. Some say this decrease in enrollment leads to admission purely for the purpose of receiving tuition and aid from the federal government.
Some other arguments are that affirmative action allows blacks better access to majority-white institutions, and that Americans have grown to the point that these schools are not needed.
All of these arguments are true and seem to suggest that there is less of a need for HBCUs now than in the past, but there are other issues to consider. According to data from the last census 30 percent of blacks who hold doctorates degrees, 35 percent of black lawyers, 50 percent of black engineers, and 65 percent of black physicians currently in the field received their educations from HBCUs.
These institutions have also helped to shape some of the greatest African American minds of the past and today. Oprah Winfrey graduated from Tennessee State University, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. went to Morehouse College, and Sean "Diddy" Combs attended Howard University. Black colleges produce some of the best and brightest of each generation.
Lincoln is still proud of its foundation as a historically black university. It has value in the community as an institution created after blacks were freed in the United States. Many HBCUs have historical values in their community and in the nation as a whole. For instance, as was shown in the movie The Great Debaters, Wiley College was one of the first black colleges to debate a white school.
There are 106 HBCUs in the United States and Virgin Islands. Collectively they enroll more than 370,000 African American students annually. The opportunity to receive a college education would not be available to all these students if it were not for these institutions.
One reason so many black students attend these schools is because they do not meet the requirements to get into the majority-white colleges. This comes from the discrepancy in the education received to that point, especially with early childhood education. Even those who do well enough to get into majority-white schools are sometimes unable to attend because of the cost. There is an entire group of people who fall victim to this but still want an education.
NCES reports that only 18 percent of African American people in four-year colleges or universities attend HBCUs. This is a testament to their success. A large portion of today's black middle class have been HBCU graduates. The continued existence of these schools will help to continue this trend.
Race is a touchy issue for many Americans. Some people feel that to keep these institutions is the perpetuation of the same racial inequality that they were created to overcome. America has come a long way from slavery, but the job is not done. Statements such as the one Rush Limbaugh made about Donovan McNabb, and Don Imus about the Rutgers University women's basketball team, offer proof that the fight is not over. Even blogs about the Jena 6 showed defined racial lines.
Historically black schools were not built to put up walls. They were built to tear them down, and as long as racism exists in this nation, they will always have a place here.
-- Black College Wire
- Clinton's new message: I've got the white vote (40 comments)
- Rev. Wright diagnosed with Jealous Negro Syndrome (37 comments)
- An obituary for the Clinton campaign (36 comments)
- Take It To The Finish Line (25 comments)
- Here we go again... (23 comments)
-
Anonymity commented on Why We Still Need Black Colleges:
Some so called prestige coated universities are also only riding quite thin academic records. I can'... -
Mia commented on Why We Still Need Black Colleges:
Mr. McGhee...you are sooo on point with this article. I graduated from the University of the Distr... -
Mia commented on Why We Still Need Black Colleges:
Mr. McGhee...you are sooo on point with this article. I graduated from the University of the Distr... -
Miranda commented on Why We Still Need Black Colleges:
No one raises a voice to question whether FSU or Auburn or Penn State or any other university or col... -
R. Lee Gordon commented on Why We Still Need Black Colleges:
The more educational options and opportunities offered to our children, the better this country and ...
May 9, 2008 4:01 PM
In our modern world, there are no black colleges nor white colleges. We do label some colleges as "traditional" black colleges, but this is in name only.
Here is a link to a very informative article on black colleges,
---
"In terms of financial aid, many HBCUs, particularly the smaller private institutions, often lack the resources necessary to offer enough scholarship or grant aid to cover the student's financial needs...some of the larger state universities have more African American students than most HBCUs...If the goal is simply to 'be around' students from your own culture, you can do so at those schools as well as any HBCU...The African American environment at any college is a factor you should weigh carefully before you apply...."
"Is a Historically Black College or University Right for You?"
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/articles/find/8stepsHBCU.asp
---
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
May 9, 2008 4:53 PM
Do we need HBCU's just for the sake of having them? Nah I wouldnt agree with that. But do we still need high caliber HBCU's such as Florida A&M University, Howard, Morehouse, and Spellman well yeah of course we need those school.
Speaking for myself I know Florida A&M University is a state public university. And our annual budget is somewhere near $400+ million dollars. Not to mention that we have some of the top academic programs out there. Out Pharmacy school is 4th in the nation, and we boast an impressive Business, Engineering, Journalism, and Nursing schools as well.
So are ALL HBCU's needed? Nah just like all colleges in general aren't needed. But the top calibur schools with overwhelming cultures and are rooted in tradition. Those need to stay around. Schools like Florida A&M University and Howard offer something that a predom white school simply cant give you. I dont care which one you go to, how long you go there, and what degree you get. There is nothing like the Florida A&M University experience. I can't say what happens at FAMU happens at all HBCU's because most other HBCU's dont hold a candle to us. Most predominately white university's dont hold a candle to us.
But this debate is a tired one that has gone on since HBCU's were created I guess. Ever since Brown VS Board of education the revelance of HBCU's has been in question I suppose. But thanks to films like School Daze we all know the truth.
Like my mom always says. Its not what you have its what you do with it. My friend went to the University of Florida, dropped out, and now has 4 kids and no job.
Another friend with to FAMU majored in Pharmacy and is making over $100,000 a year.
So you be the judge?
May 9, 2008 6:13 PM
It's a well documented fact that HBCU's rate at the bottom in terms of alum support/contributions/donations. Black graduates for whatever reason, in numbers far far exceeding average, don't give back.
Actions speak louder than words, the lack of interest and or desire in HBCU graduates supporting their Alma Marter says it all, does it not?
HBCU graduates are voting on this question in their actions (or lack there of in this case). I say HBCU graduates are the best positioned to answer this question....and do, with their lack of support.
Please, there is no excuse, every dollar counts and I know people that send their alma mater $5 a month. But HBCU graduates? They're well known for not supporting their schools...for some reason.
Seems to me if supporting HBCUs was a needed and worthy cause, the support of the graduates of them would not rate so poorly.
May 9, 2008 7:46 PM
The more educational options and opportunities offered to our children, the better this country and the world . . .
Even today, HBCU's still provide a much needed h(e)aven for many of our youth . . .
One in UniTee and all the best . . .
R. Lee Gordon
UniTee Design, Inc.
www.uniteedesign.com
rgordon@uniteedesign.com
Toll Free: 888.OUR.RBG.TEES
May 10, 2008 7:47 PM
No one raises a voice to question whether FSU or Auburn or Penn State or any other university or college is needed...that issue is only raised towards traditionally black colleges and universities...why? As far as the "giving back by alumni" is concerned, I think the poster who raises this point needs to do further research. Yes, Univ of Alabama alumni give more than Alabama A&M Univ alum.......to the FOOTBALL PROGRAM! You know where the big discrepancy really is as far as overall budgeting? Its in state funding...as it is for most HBCUs. They typically receive far less (and yes, accounting for proportionality) than the predominantly white institutions of higher learning. States have had to be sued in the past, just to make them dole out the dollars fairly.
See, its idiocy like the people who assume HBCUs...ALL OF THEM...are somehow irrelevant because I guess...."we've arrived".
May 10, 2008 9:30 PM
Mr. McGhee...you are sooo on point with this article. I graduated from the University of the District of Columbia's (aka UDC) School of Engineering and I can truly say it was one of the best moves I ever made in life.
When I graduated in ninety seven, I landed an electrical engineering job at a company with other engineers who graduated from Virginia Tech, MIT, University of Maryland, Georgia Tech and Georgia Washington. These engineers were not on my level at all. I was light years ahead of them regarding engineering knowledge and I didn't have the student loan debt...I have my own engineering company now and I tell young students to never allow someone to tell them what they can and cannot do. Yes, I am an active donor to UDC. UDC is a great school.
May 10, 2008 9:30 PM
Mr. McGhee...you are sooo on point with this article. I graduated from the University of the District of Columbia's (aka UDC) School of Engineering and I can truly say it was one of the best moves I ever made in life.
When I graduated in ninety seven, I landed an electrical engineering job at a company with other engineers who graduated from Virginia Tech, MIT, University of Maryland, Georgia Tech and Georgia Washington. These engineers were not on my level at all. I was light years ahead of them regarding engineering knowledge and I didn't have the student loan debt...I have my own engineering company now and I tell young students to never allow someone to tell them what they can and cannot do. Yes, I am an active donor to UDC. UDC is a great university.
May 12, 2008 5:30 AM
Some so called prestige coated universities are also only riding quite thin academic records. I can't speak for other disciplines, but the 2006 post-grad/doc course outlines in economics at harvard seemed quite superficial. Some half-empty graduands also hail from oxford by the dozens. But maybe the problems are discipline specific. What I know is that bright-sparks and world leaders come from anywhere. Toni Morrison from Howard, for instance. To me what always matters is one's current head content, not the name of their previously attended private school or university. It's not where you come from it's who you are. Although it's sadly true that many people go farther than warranted in some circles becasue of the network, which in all likelihood they formed at some rich lilly white college.