Are HBCUs Still Relevant?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) were established before in the late 19th century to educate African Americans. The primary purpose of HBCUs was to educate black Americans, which they did almost exclusively from 1865 to the 1950s. The overwhelming majority of HBCUs opened after 1865 in response to the need to have institutions to educate newly freed slaves, who were not being admitted to the existing white institutions.

Through the years laws have been passed that have allowed black Americans to enter and graduate from majority institutions.  This has left a question on the table – Are HBCUs still needed?

According to an article on StateUniversity.com, proponents of HBCUs believe that the institutions still offer a huge value to blacks students.

Researchers contend that HBCUs provide assets for black students that are unavailable and unattainable in white institutions. Socially, Donald Smith found that they provide an accepting environment with emotional support. He also found that they serve as repositories for the black heritage. The environment at HBCUs is one of acceptance of students for who they are, and students do not experience social isolation, but rather integration into campus life and extracurricular offerings. HBCUs also foster healthy social relationships, and students form positive relationships with faculty members as well as their peers. It is not uncommon to find formal and informal mentoring relationships developing in this environment. In addition, HBCUs foster ethnic pride and self-esteem.

Academically, HBCUs offer programs designed to meet the unique needs of black students and the black community, and they educate many students with learning deficiencies. Although the facilities are generally modest and resources are limited, numerous studies indicate that HBCUs have done an outstanding job at educating their clientele.

Opponents tend to think that HBCUs perpetuate racism and segregation and further divide meager financial resources.

Here’s another Viewpoint.

Check out the viewpoint of a few of our listeners and supporters below.

Four years ago I was faced with the difficult decision as a high school senior of where I would be spending the next four years continuing my education. I grew up in a family where the importance of attending a historically black college or university was stressed at an early age. Although few members of my family did attend predominatley white universities, the majority were all graduates of an HBCU. I was exposed to the life of an HBCU as a young child, from attending various homecomings each year to never missing a CIAA tournament. With all this exposure I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU after graduation, and needless to say Shaw University was my choice. Read more.