Are Black Colleges Still Relevant Today Essay
Then and Now: The Relevance of HBCUs in Today’s Society
Introduction
‘Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community. There are 105 historically black colleges and universities in the United States, including public and private, two-year and four-year institutions, single sex and coeducational, medical schools and community colleges” (Finnigan,14). According to Smith’s "Are HBCU 's Still Relevant?”, “Most of these institutions are located in the former slave states of the Confederacy, they make up a diverse set of institutions in nineteen states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.” Historically black colleges and universities were also established in a time of segregation and restricted educational …show more content…
opportunity. Throughout the last several years there have been numerous debates on whether or not historically black colleges and universities are still relevant in this post-segregation society. The educational climate in America has changed significantly as compared to how things were during times of segregation and the Jim Crowe era. Some would argue that HBCUs are no longer necessary because they continue to preserve feelings of racism, have an inadequacy of ethnic and cultural diversity, and stick to the notion that only Blacks can educate Blacks. This is not entirely true. Historically black colleges and universities promote the further education of young African American people, play a substantial role in the African American community, and have an impressive graduation rate in the majors of education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and healthcare. Without the help of these historical black colleges or universities many of African American young people would not go on to achieve these many accomplishments.
Promote further Education
Historically black colleges and universities encourage young African American people to further pursue their education. ‘Data shows that historically black colleges and universities contribute significantly to the Black middle class and the nation’s economy” (Black Enterprise. N.p ). Historically black colleges and universities give African American students the opportunity to be in an environment where they will not be the minority student sitting in class. Data reveals that, as expected, black students who earn a four-year college degree have incomes that are substantially higher than blacks who have only some college experience but have not earned a degree. According to Ellis the most important, blacks who complete a four-year college education have a median income that is near parity with similarly educated whites. Chancellor Charlie Nelms of North Carolina Central University in Durham states, “Historically black colleges and universities provide a culturally affirming, psychologically supportive environment. Students do not have to prove they belong here.” Most of the students that attend a historically black college or university are first generation college students who come from a lower or middle class family. These students are eligible to receive financial aid and grants such as the Pell Grant to help them pay for their schooling. This gives the students encouragement to complete college and receive their degree. Historically black colleges and universities play a major part in the African American community. Majority of the colleges give back to the impoverished parts of the communities and promote the uplifting of African Americans. Historically black colleges and universities have fewer resources, especially financial resources, then the predominantly White educational institutions and they still manage to give back to the community.
Graduation Rates
Historically black colleges and universities have a profound graduation rate in the majors of education and healthcare. These colleges also have an impressive graduation rate among the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors, also known as the STEM majors. According to thinkHBCU.org, “historically black colleges and universities only represent about three percent of the nation’s colleges and universities but they enroll twelve percent of all African American students. Historically black colleges and universities graduate forty percent of all STEM degrees received from African Americans.” They also graduate fifty percent of all education degrees and sixty percent of all healthcare degrees among Black students. HBCU’s records states that ‘the highest Black student graduation rate at the HBCUs is at Spelman College in Atlanta. There, 79 percent of entering students graduate from Spelman within six years. This rate is higher than the Black student graduation rate at many of the nation’s highest-ranked colleges and universities. The Black student graduation at Spelman College is 15 percentage points higher than at any other HBCU in our survey.” (HBCU’s survey) The Black student graduation rate at Howard University is 64 percent. This ranks Howard second among the HBCUs in our survey. Morehouse College in Atlanta ranks third with a Black student graduation rate of 59 percent.
In each of the three years from 1998 through 2000 there was a one percentage point decline in the graduation rate for black men. But for the past four years the graduation rate for black men improved by one percentage point and now stands at 35 percent. Over the past 15 years black men have improved their graduation rate from 28 percent to 35 percent. (Goode, np).
This year the college graduation rate for black women rose by one percentage point to 46 percent. And over the past decade and a half, the graduation rates for black women have shown strong and steady gains. Turning in a powerful performance, black women have improved their college completion rate from 34 percent in 1990 to 46 percent in 2005. (Goode, np).
“Graduation rates play an important role in measuring the success of affirmative action programs. Many opponents of affirmative action assert, often without even looking at the actual data, that black student graduation rates are damaged by race-sensitive admissions” (Goode,np). It is critical to review the statistics to see if this is true. In this report we emphasize the graduation rates of black students at the nation 's highest-ranked colleges and universities. The reason is that almost always these are the institutions that have the strongest commitments to race-sensitive admissions.
Table 1 show the graduation rates in percentage of the one hundred and five HBCU’s in the year of 2013.
Substantial Role
“There has never been any kind of discrimination based upon race at a historically black college or university” (Black Enterprise. N.p ). This is one of the greatest values about historical black colleges and universities. Though these higher learning institutions were founded during segregation and were made for the further pursuing of education of African Americans, there has never been any discrimination against White people who want to attend or work at one of the colleges. The faculty at most historically black colleges and universities is extremely diverse. At many of the schools over fifty percent of the faculty is Caucasian.
Michelle Howard-Vital, President of Cheyney University states, “We need to admit students from a wider range of ethnic and income groups, so that they too can benefit from practices that will eventually lead to a more educated citizenry.” Historical black colleges and universities do not discriminate against any ethnicity. In the past thirty years the proportion of Latino enrollment has increased. In 2011 the number of Asian American students enrolled into HBCUS was a total of 4,311 which was a 60% increase from 2001. The White enrollment into HBCUS has been between 10-13% in past twenty years. (Gasman) These statistics are proof that unlike some popular institutions, a student’s race or ethnicity has nothing to do with their qualifications for enrollment into a HBCU institution.
Historical black colleges and universities are still needed in America because there is still discrimination towards blacks going on in today’s society. Though segregation ended decades ago there are still very few opportunities given to African Americans in this nation. Most recipients of top notch scholarships are White. Most of the students accepted into Ivy League schools are White. In the corporate world, most people who hold extremely high positions are White. Historically black colleges and universities promote and steer African American youth through the journey of higher education. The colleges provide their students with scholarships to award their academic integrity.
Majority of the students who graduate from a historical black college or university receive very successful jobs in prominent fields. Richard Wright, a linguistics professor and Board of Trustees member at Howard University in Washington, D.C. feels that historical black colleges and universities have more of a commitment to social justice than any other kind of institution, because of the issues historically faced by their students and surrounding community (The Grio. N.p., 27). Students of the African American culture can feel at home at a HBCU and never have to worry about somebody judging them because of the color of their skin. Students of other ethnicities and races get a chance at a wonderful education as well as enlightenment about a culture that is so different from theirs.
Historical Black colleges and universities give African American young people to not only succeed but to fulfill a legacy. Beverley Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College writes, “The relevance and power of an HBCU education in which faculty expectations are high, peer support is strong, and role models are abundant is quantifiable and worthy of preserving and strengthening with investment. Black students who want to see themselves as not just one of a few who can succeed but rather one of many who seek and find that legacy of success and affirmation on an HBCU campus.” HBCUs give African American young people a chance to become upstanding citizens and role models.
John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., a graduate of Morehouse College and the college’s 11th president believes that historical black colleges and universities are still relevant because they serve a special function. He states, “We kind of moved away from the general value proposition for HBCUs. We really do think that each individual HBCU has to establish and clarify and trumpet their own value proposition, and that gives me, again, a sense of pride and energy about moving to Morehouse to prove that concept there.” Historical black colleges and universities place values in their students that they will take with them throughout their journey of life. (Martin, Np).
Conclusion
Historical black colleges and universities are still extremely relevant to the United States of America.
“HBCUS Are They Still Relevant”. According to Ashley, “they uplift the African American community as well as promote the furthering of education to the Black youth.” These colleges also have a wonderful graduation rate in many remarkable fields securing the future success of these graduates. These institutions instill values and morals into every one of their students, teach them how to be successful, upstanding citizens, and turn them into exceptional role models. Historical black colleges and universities help their students excel in their chosen career paths, philanthropy and in society. These institutions were first established to give African Americans a chance to receive further education and now it gives them a chance to become successful in society as well as a way to embrace their culture and history. Historical black colleges and universities will always be relevant because they boost the education, self-esteem, and success of African Americans all over the country. "HBCUS Are They Still
Relevant."
Works Cited
Ashley, George. "HBCUS Are They Still Relevant."messagemagazine.org. N.p.. Web. .
Egwu, Chetachi. "HBCUs: Still Relevant in the "post-racial era?"." The Grio. N.p., 27 Sep 2011. Web. 20 Mar 2014. .
Ellis, Stacy Ann. "Black Colleges: Are They Still Needed?."The Roott. N.p., 22 Oct 2012. Web. .
Finnigan, Leah. "HBCU Voices: Student on Why HBCUs Remain Relevant." huffingtonpost.com. N.p., 03 Aug 2011. Web. .
Goode, Robin. "Why HBCUs are Still Relevant." Black Enterprise. N.p., 15 Feb 2011. Web. 20 Mar 2014. .
Martin, Michael. "Do We Still Need HBCUs?." npr.org. N.p., 22 Jan 2013. Web. .
Since, Tradition Ever. "Top 5 Reasons Why We Still Need HBCUs." hbculifestyle.com. N.p., 14 Jan 2013. Web. .
Smith, Sherri. "Are HBCU 's Still Relevant?." bet.com. N.p., 12 Apr 2011. Web. .
Introduction
‘Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community. There are 105 historically black colleges and universities in the United States, including public and private, two-year and four-year institutions, single sex and coeducational, medical schools and community colleges” (Finnigan,14). According to Smith’s "Are HBCU 's Still Relevant?”, “Most of these institutions are located in the former slave states of the Confederacy, they make up a diverse set of institutions in nineteen states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.” Historically black colleges and universities were also established in a time of segregation and restricted educational …show more content…
opportunity. Throughout the last several years there have been numerous debates on whether or not historically black colleges and universities are still relevant in this post-segregation society. The educational climate in America has changed significantly as compared to how things were during times of segregation and the Jim Crowe era. Some would argue that HBCUs are no longer necessary because they continue to preserve feelings of racism, have an inadequacy of ethnic and cultural diversity, and stick to the notion that only Blacks can educate Blacks. This is not entirely true. Historically black colleges and universities promote the further education of young African American people, play a substantial role in the African American community, and have an impressive graduation rate in the majors of education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and healthcare. Without the help of these historical black colleges or universities many of African American young people would not go on to achieve these many accomplishments.
Promote further Education
Historically black colleges and universities encourage young African American people to further pursue their education. ‘Data shows that historically black colleges and universities contribute significantly to the Black middle class and the nation’s economy” (Black Enterprise. N.p ). Historically black colleges and universities give African American students the opportunity to be in an environment where they will not be the minority student sitting in class. Data reveals that, as expected, black students who earn a four-year college degree have incomes that are substantially higher than blacks who have only some college experience but have not earned a degree. According to Ellis the most important, blacks who complete a four-year college education have a median income that is near parity with similarly educated whites. Chancellor Charlie Nelms of North Carolina Central University in Durham states, “Historically black colleges and universities provide a culturally affirming, psychologically supportive environment. Students do not have to prove they belong here.” Most of the students that attend a historically black college or university are first generation college students who come from a lower or middle class family. These students are eligible to receive financial aid and grants such as the Pell Grant to help them pay for their schooling. This gives the students encouragement to complete college and receive their degree. Historically black colleges and universities play a major part in the African American community. Majority of the colleges give back to the impoverished parts of the communities and promote the uplifting of African Americans. Historically black colleges and universities have fewer resources, especially financial resources, then the predominantly White educational institutions and they still manage to give back to the community.
Graduation Rates
Historically black colleges and universities have a profound graduation rate in the majors of education and healthcare. These colleges also have an impressive graduation rate among the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors, also known as the STEM majors. According to thinkHBCU.org, “historically black colleges and universities only represent about three percent of the nation’s colleges and universities but they enroll twelve percent of all African American students. Historically black colleges and universities graduate forty percent of all STEM degrees received from African Americans.” They also graduate fifty percent of all education degrees and sixty percent of all healthcare degrees among Black students. HBCU’s records states that ‘the highest Black student graduation rate at the HBCUs is at Spelman College in Atlanta. There, 79 percent of entering students graduate from Spelman within six years. This rate is higher than the Black student graduation rate at many of the nation’s highest-ranked colleges and universities. The Black student graduation at Spelman College is 15 percentage points higher than at any other HBCU in our survey.” (HBCU’s survey) The Black student graduation rate at Howard University is 64 percent. This ranks Howard second among the HBCUs in our survey. Morehouse College in Atlanta ranks third with a Black student graduation rate of 59 percent.
In each of the three years from 1998 through 2000 there was a one percentage point decline in the graduation rate for black men. But for the past four years the graduation rate for black men improved by one percentage point and now stands at 35 percent. Over the past 15 years black men have improved their graduation rate from 28 percent to 35 percent. (Goode, np).
This year the college graduation rate for black women rose by one percentage point to 46 percent. And over the past decade and a half, the graduation rates for black women have shown strong and steady gains. Turning in a powerful performance, black women have improved their college completion rate from 34 percent in 1990 to 46 percent in 2005. (Goode, np).
“Graduation rates play an important role in measuring the success of affirmative action programs. Many opponents of affirmative action assert, often without even looking at the actual data, that black student graduation rates are damaged by race-sensitive admissions” (Goode,np). It is critical to review the statistics to see if this is true. In this report we emphasize the graduation rates of black students at the nation 's highest-ranked colleges and universities. The reason is that almost always these are the institutions that have the strongest commitments to race-sensitive admissions.
Table 1 show the graduation rates in percentage of the one hundred and five HBCU’s in the year of 2013.
Substantial Role
“There has never been any kind of discrimination based upon race at a historically black college or university” (Black Enterprise. N.p ). This is one of the greatest values about historical black colleges and universities. Though these higher learning institutions were founded during segregation and were made for the further pursuing of education of African Americans, there has never been any discrimination against White people who want to attend or work at one of the colleges. The faculty at most historically black colleges and universities is extremely diverse. At many of the schools over fifty percent of the faculty is Caucasian.
Michelle Howard-Vital, President of Cheyney University states, “We need to admit students from a wider range of ethnic and income groups, so that they too can benefit from practices that will eventually lead to a more educated citizenry.” Historical black colleges and universities do not discriminate against any ethnicity. In the past thirty years the proportion of Latino enrollment has increased. In 2011 the number of Asian American students enrolled into HBCUS was a total of 4,311 which was a 60% increase from 2001. The White enrollment into HBCUS has been between 10-13% in past twenty years. (Gasman) These statistics are proof that unlike some popular institutions, a student’s race or ethnicity has nothing to do with their qualifications for enrollment into a HBCU institution.
Historical black colleges and universities are still needed in America because there is still discrimination towards blacks going on in today’s society. Though segregation ended decades ago there are still very few opportunities given to African Americans in this nation. Most recipients of top notch scholarships are White. Most of the students accepted into Ivy League schools are White. In the corporate world, most people who hold extremely high positions are White. Historically black colleges and universities promote and steer African American youth through the journey of higher education. The colleges provide their students with scholarships to award their academic integrity.
Majority of the students who graduate from a historical black college or university receive very successful jobs in prominent fields. Richard Wright, a linguistics professor and Board of Trustees member at Howard University in Washington, D.C. feels that historical black colleges and universities have more of a commitment to social justice than any other kind of institution, because of the issues historically faced by their students and surrounding community (The Grio. N.p., 27). Students of the African American culture can feel at home at a HBCU and never have to worry about somebody judging them because of the color of their skin. Students of other ethnicities and races get a chance at a wonderful education as well as enlightenment about a culture that is so different from theirs.
Historical Black colleges and universities give African American young people to not only succeed but to fulfill a legacy. Beverley Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College writes, “The relevance and power of an HBCU education in which faculty expectations are high, peer support is strong, and role models are abundant is quantifiable and worthy of preserving and strengthening with investment. Black students who want to see themselves as not just one of a few who can succeed but rather one of many who seek and find that legacy of success and affirmation on an HBCU campus.” HBCUs give African American young people a chance to become upstanding citizens and role models.
John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., a graduate of Morehouse College and the college’s 11th president believes that historical black colleges and universities are still relevant because they serve a special function. He states, “We kind of moved away from the general value proposition for HBCUs. We really do think that each individual HBCU has to establish and clarify and trumpet their own value proposition, and that gives me, again, a sense of pride and energy about moving to Morehouse to prove that concept there.” Historical black colleges and universities place values in their students that they will take with them throughout their journey of life. (Martin, Np).
Conclusion
Historical black colleges and universities are still extremely relevant to the United States of America.
“HBCUS Are They Still Relevant”. According to Ashley, “they uplift the African American community as well as promote the furthering of education to the Black youth.” These colleges also have a wonderful graduation rate in many remarkable fields securing the future success of these graduates. These institutions instill values and morals into every one of their students, teach them how to be successful, upstanding citizens, and turn them into exceptional role models. Historical black colleges and universities help their students excel in their chosen career paths, philanthropy and in society. These institutions were first established to give African Americans a chance to receive further education and now it gives them a chance to become successful in society as well as a way to embrace their culture and history. Historical black colleges and universities will always be relevant because they boost the education, self-esteem, and success of African Americans all over the country. "HBCUS Are They Still
Relevant."
Works Cited
Ashley, George. "HBCUS Are They Still Relevant."messagemagazine.org. N.p.. Web. .
Egwu, Chetachi. "HBCUs: Still Relevant in the "post-racial era?"." The Grio. N.p., 27 Sep 2011. Web. 20 Mar 2014. .
Ellis, Stacy Ann. "Black Colleges: Are They Still Needed?."The Roott. N.p., 22 Oct 2012. Web. .
Finnigan, Leah. "HBCU Voices: Student on Why HBCUs Remain Relevant." huffingtonpost.com. N.p., 03 Aug 2011. Web. .
Goode, Robin. "Why HBCUs are Still Relevant." Black Enterprise. N.p., 15 Feb 2011. Web. 20 Mar 2014. .
Martin, Michael. "Do We Still Need HBCUs?." npr.org. N.p., 22 Jan 2013. Web. .
Since, Tradition Ever. "Top 5 Reasons Why We Still Need HBCUs." hbculifestyle.com. N.p., 14 Jan 2013. Web. .
Smith, Sherri. "Are HBCU 's Still Relevant?." bet.com. N.p., 12 Apr 2011. Web. .