Historically Black Colleges and Universities vs. predominantly white schools

College Search & Selection
61

<p>And the above is just the reason why I'm glad to be transferring to a school with a larger black/minority community...</p>

<p>Im choosing not ot go to an HBCU because I feel like I can find that sense of black community at the school I am transferring to (Cornell) and because many are in the south and way too far from where I currently live. I LOVE being able to go home whenever I want. Also, I LOVE diversity... I know HBCUs can be diverse, but as an Asian studies major, its important for me to have Japanese students to converse with/learn from.. in addition to other cultural things. But if I were living in the south, I would have had more HBCUs on my list....</p>

62

<p>It's ridiculous for a country trying to not judge people by the color of skin to turn around to do it and say it's OK. I understand that it's human nature to champion something when it comes as a benefit and to denounce something when it comes as a disadvantage, but isn't the goal of mankind to continuously improve? How are we continuously improving if we denounce racism when it comes to racial slurs, but praise it when it comes to affirmative action? You can't have your cake and eat it too.</p>

63

<p>back to the topic of hbcu's being a great option for blacks, if the option truly entices you, definately go for it.</p>

<p>I have one friend going to Spelman and the other going to Bennet and both couldn't be happier.</p>

64

<p>Most of my black friends who go to predominantly white universities have two complaints:
1. the ignorance/prejudice of white students and professors (some, not all)
2. the small black community on campus and its lack of unity/diversity/something (depends on the campus and the student)
Most of my black friends that go to HBCUs have one complaint:
1. people are too into the idea that "blackness" is somehow related to poverty, rap music, or some other stereotype (i've only heard this about a few select hbcu's)
OR/and
2. The school doesn't have as great of a reputation as would be preferred (ie. helping with job hunting...a friend from Howard commonly says this when compared to Georgetown or George Washington kids)</p>

65

<p>"Most of my black friends that go to HBCUs have one complaint:
1. people are too into the idea that "blackness" is somehow related to poverty, rap music, or some other stereotype (i've only heard this about a few select hbcu's)" </p>

<p>Sigh, how sad. I thought that kind of stupid thinking went out in the 70s when I was in college at an Ivy.</p>

<p>Looking back, it is funny how some black students from solidly middle class environments used to try to act ghetto. This included students who were well off, lived in predominantly white suburbs, yet tried to pass themselves off as street thugs from the inner city. Fortunately, they grew out of this stage.</p>

66

<p>I am black and personally I will be avoiding HBCU's at all costs</p>

67

<p>Northstarmom: African-American suburban kids attempting to act "truly black" is still pervasive. Well, in my area at least. Typical African American teenager is the son of a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or executive; despite this, they still feel the need to act ghetto. Many of these same individuals will label an African-American who choses not to engage in this ridiculous acting as an "Uncle Tom" or "Oreo". I've personally had to deal with this labeling on several occasions.</p>

68

<p>People’s cultural actions are relative, and I take offense to someone assuming that those from the inner-city who choose to accept a particular culture are “street thugs” or acting “ghetto.” It’s ridiculous to say that a person from the middle class must refuse to accept urban culture (there’s a reason why rap is one of the highest grossing music genres in the U.S.!). Moreover, I attend a predominately white college and can not name an instance when I felt like someone was showing prejudice toward me. I do at times wish that the Black community were larger here, but do not delude myself into believing that everywhere I go there will be a “large group of Black people.” We should stop assuming that a Black college student shall have a better experience at an HBCU just because he is Black, because for many, this is not true.</p>

69

<p>" It’s ridiculous to say that a person from the middle class must refuse to accept urban culture (there’s a reason why rap is one of the highest grossing music genres in the U.S.!). "</p>

<p>I went to college in the early 70s. This was before rap.
Some guys who went to my Ivy league college had come from professional homes with parents who were doctors and lawyers. These young men had gone to some of the best prep schools and private schools in New England and NY, and they lived in some of the wealthiest, predominantly white suburbs in the country.</p>

<p>Yet, they claimed to be from inner city, depressed places like Harlem and Roxbury, and they affected pimp struts and Ebonics and made fun of other black students who, according to them were not "black enough."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, at my college there really were some black students who were first generation college, low income and from the inner city. They were the real thing, not posers.</p>

70

<p>Hmm, well I don’t attend a big, flashy Ivy League college, so maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. Ha ha ha!</p>

71

<p>We should stop assuming that a Black college student shall have a better experience at an HBCU just because he is Black, because for many, this is not true.</p>

<p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>

<p>kk19...</p>

<p>I don't think anyone is saying that at all. While I do recognize the positive aspects of most HBCUs, I can still recognize the other aspects of pred. white schools. Here's a thought I just had though...</p>

<p>Most of my friends at school are black and the majority that are here (back home) are white. I was just out with my (white) friends last night, and they are the same as always. Really funny and lovable, but I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the things my black friends at college would find funny would just go right over their heads. We tried to watch Soul Plane together, which yeah, its a sucky movie but I was the only one laughing most of the time and other times there was complete silence... but when I watch a movie like that with my black friends, there is a completely different feel. We talk all the way through the movie making jokes and the like. So even if the movie sucks, we make the experience of watching it fun. I still love both sets of friends, but I have to admit I feel more at home with my friends at college. I can be myself with either set, but with my black friends, I can be myself and be totally understood. </p>

<p>I guess when it comes to black students and HBCUs, experiences like this are what make them want to choose an HBCU. College is more than just going to school and making the grade. A LOT of it is making friends and connections through social outlets. You're more likely to make those connections with people who understand your experiences.</p>

72

<p>Where are these communities with several black professionals and well-established black adults? I'd love to raise my kids in that kind of environment (with many strong, successful blacks).</p>

73

<p>Atlanta, Georgia.</p>

74

<p>my community. I live in a very middle class, suburban neighborhood in Long Island. The black population is quite large, almost equal(or slightly larger) than the white population. My HS was majority black, and the other high school in my town was very diverse(said to be the most diverse high school in Long Island). My graduating year(2004) was the first year where we had all seniors(287 or so) graduate. We were the first school in our district(4 other high schools, most majority white) to accomplish that. Our neighborhood is very well kept, lots of stores, schools, a huge field for various sporting events, churches, near to a mall, etc. Of course we had some of the "wannabe ghetto people" at my HS, but the thing I noticed was that when it was time to work, everyone did what they had to do(pop. 2000 in HS). Even the people in "regular" classes did what they had to do to get through HS. I always provide my community as one where even though there might be people that "act ghetto", not all of them accept the whole "school isn't cool" attitude that many people invoke as a reason why blacks aren't performing as welll, or that Asian families revere education and others don't. </p>

<p>I go to Georgetown University, where the vast majority of students are white. However, coming from Long Island, where the vast majority of people are white, middle to upper middle class, etc., this wasn't a problem for me. A few people from my HS class did go to schools like Howard, Hampton, Morehouse, etc., and they had their reasons. People also went to schools like Georgetown, Penn, NYU(we regularly send 10+ people), Emory, Harvard, Columbia, etc. So, my view is that people choose colleges for different reasons. It doesn't matter what environment you grew up in or what your culture is, or whatever. If you want to be in a predominantly black academic environment, choose a HBCU. Schools like Howard, Morehouse, etc. have good reputations and you'll have a great college life. However, there are also people that choose predominantly white schools, and that's ok as well(seeing as how this country IS predominantly white, I don't see what the problem is).</p>

75

<p>"Where are these communities with several black professionals and well-established black adults?"</p>

<p>Detroit (The Palmer Woods and Palmer Park neighborhoods are gorgeous and are filled with professionals). The city also has many well educated black professionals who run things, and run them well. </p>

<p>D.C. (check out the"Gold Coast")
Prince Georges County, MD (right outside of D.C.)
Atlanta
Houston
Cities that have HBCUs also tend to have lots of black professionals.</p>

76

<p>
[quote]
The city also has many well educated black professionals who run things, and run them well.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Honestly, an internet message board has never made me fall over laughing before, but there's a first for everything.</p>

<p>Maybe you should do a little research before you post things like that! Nobody even contests that they ran Detroit into the ground.</p>

<p>Under the recent leadership in Detroit: big corporates have moved out, "white flight" and "black flight" (re: anyone with enough money to move - move) reached critical mass, schools have gotten much, much worse, mayors have been indicted on charges of sweetheart deals with school and infrastucture money, the financial situation is horrible, race problems are at an all time high, the race card is played every, single time a black politician is called on his embezzlement/corruption etc. They blame all of their problems on "racism". Racism in the state capital - Racism in washington - Racism by the nearby suburbs. It truly is unbeleivable.</p>

<p>In response to these crisis, the "well educated" leadership of Detroit have come up with ideas such as:</p>

<p>putting three casinos in the worst part of town - nobody from outside the city came, but they continue to be a hardship for poor residents</p>

<p>taxing fast food (because many poor people live off it).</p>

<p>taxing certain types of ethnic stores (hardship on the old asian section of town) - all while sometimes Kwame wears a dasheeki to press conferances.</p>

<p>unfair taxes against auto-giants which hastened their retreat from the area.</p>

<p>..and last but not least a new "tax-free" section of town called "Africa-town" which is supposed to be modeled after Chinatown.</p>

<p>As for the actual question: you should check out Atlanta. I lived there for a few years and there was much less racial tension (as opposed to places I've lived between Flint and Detriot, Michigan - where the "well educated" leadership (Woodrow Stanley of Flint, Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit?) have played the race card on every issue at every time and always end up turning things into a huge racial issue) from arrests to elections to city contracts.</p>

<p>Michigan cities, especially Detroit, are on the brink of financial collapse - and the leadership is pushing them towards it.</p>

77

<p>Thanks, being from New England, you can understand my ignorance, and thanks for respectfully answering my question. Anywhere else?</p>

78

<p>ugh. as much as i hate to say it, some of you guys are a bit disillusioned. how many of you guys have BEEN to HBCU's or spent QUALITY TIME at one? as someone who has, I can tell you that, in general, HBCU's dont attract (or keep) top students because of internal problems. There is NO NBCU with an acceptable administration department (and if you need my personal horror stories, I'll feel free to share), and they're not that strong academically. They also don't have the facilities, professors, or technology to keep up. </p>

<p>I also think that the STUDENTS at HBCU's have serious issues. I mean, we still can't get over this "dark skin / light skin" which STILL is a problem at HBCU campuses. i've found that the females are a bit more catty than usual (and maybe that's because they're all fighting over the few men who populate HBCU campuses), and there are some socio-economic divides there as well. And until those issues are addressed, I don't see how the HBCU's will continue to survive.</p>

79

<p>as to cities where the black professional population is high, definitely NOT detroit. not sure who suggested that city, but I definitely DO NOT agree.</p>

80

<p>Have you been to Detroit? I lived there for 7 years and there is a very strong black middle and black upper class. In addition to doctors, lawyers, university professors, department heads in city government, and city government officials, there also are plenty of black judges, including black female judges - the first time that I had ever been around so many black women judges.</p>

<p>The black professional population in Detroit is high. In addition, the numbers of black impoverished also are high. As I mentioned, check out the neighborhoods like Palmer Park and Palmer Woods: Filled with professionals.</p>

<p>FYI: I also have lived in Atlanta and DC and spent plenty of time working on HBCU campuses.</p>