Mark Braboy
Associate Editor
As a current student at an HBCU, I often wonder if I will encourage my children to follow in my footsteps and attend an HBCU.
The relevance of HBCUs has been an ongoing debate since historically black colleges were founded.
Honestly, despite what some critics say and even though the challenges historically black institutions still face, they are as relevant today as they ever were.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are cornerstones in this country for African-Americans, especially those who come from underprivileged backgrounds. While there are many great predominately white institutions (PWIs), historically black institutions address the needs of minority students with an understanding that can only come from those who have been where you have been, gone where you gone and done what you have done.
HBCUs like THEE Jackson State University provide a nurturing academic atmosphere tempered with cultural understanding for many students like myself, a young African-American man from an urban city blighted by many of the social problems that plague America. But it’s not just the inner city youth like myself that have benefited from HBCUs. I meet people from all walks of life, state and countries at JSU.
Every HBCU is different and comes along with different of set of experiences depending on where the location is as well as the background of the students. That is why I do not particularly believe in a singular HBCU experience because they are all different in their own way. The culture of Jackson State University is not the same as a school such as Tougaloo College or Hampton University.
While some critics claim that HBCUs do not provide students an opportunity to experience diversity that is totally untrue. While the vast majority of students here are African-American, many of these institutions include Caucasians, Chinese, Hispanic, African, European and the list goes on and on.
HBCUs have been providing students with the opportunity to associate with people from diverse backgrounds, socio-economic levels, and different age groups outside of traditional students. Historically black institutions are answering the call to prepare students for the global market, just as much as PWIs do.
Every university and college has its drawbacks and faults. However, an HBCU can make a student’s experience become one that can mold and shape them to be as great, if not better than they would if they attended a “PWI”.
So to answer the question, yes, I will encourage my kids to attend an HBCU. Will you?
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