(ThyBlackMan.com) “Philosophers have long conceded, however, that every man has two educators: ‘that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself. Of the two kinds the latter is by far the more desirable. Indeed all that is most worthy in man he must work out and conquer for himself. It is that which constitutes our real and best nourishment. What we are merely taught seldom nourishes the mind like that which we teach ourselves.” Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-education of the Negro HBCU’s provide a chance to improve a life and look past mistakes, what sometimes society tries to throw away, an opportunity to grow and change for the better.
Stated by Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Ph.D., “People often think of HBCU’s as places that find services for needy students. This is just one argument made to justify HBCU’s existence. HBCU’s do things that majority of college don’t do, that they are more sensitive to certain things.” HBCU’s allow and encourage youth to mature and inspire adults to elevate their cognitive growth. 
Too many people especially in higher education forget their mistakes of youth, that maybe from social challenges and even incarcerations they were given a second chance. Higher education is the right for all citizens no matter their color, culture or creed. HBCU’s recognize this that is why students are allowed to enroll to get their lives back on track. Unique to HBCU’s instructors see that when a person enrolls they already may have financial, social or family challenges; their desire to succeed is stronger because there is a need to be in school and the rewards of education are apparent.
Addressing the unique situations of students; Johnny Anderson a Southern University graduate states that HBCU students, “they’re single parents, teen parents, folks working two and three jobs to get ahead, dealing with a whole range of issues related to their individualistic circumstances.”
Even in my class at EWC I have single parents, students working through medical conditions and those that are working to mature into the person they need to be to move forward in life. I have found that HBCU’s work to cultivate and provide remedial assistance for students that truly do need help in academic areas. There are professionals that are tops in their fields and contribute to society. If they had not received the help they needed from an HBCU who know where they would end up.
“If you can control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.” Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro
The growth of HBCU’s can be seen in data, in 2000 HBCU students were at 276,000, in 2009 the numbers were 323,000. Success continues to be shown in other studies, Inside Higher Education has shown that HBCU’s enroll 18 percent of African Americans in higher education and graduate 30 percent of those who persist to graduation. They graduate 40 percent of African Americans who obtain degrees in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, 50 percent of those who go on to become professors and 60 percent of those who major in engineering.
The surprising effectiveness of HBCU’s is that HBCUs are as effective in graduating African-American student’s equivalent to white institutions (Inside Higher Ed 2009). HBCU’S continue to take a risk on students, giving them a chance when non Black institutions may not consider the potential within Black, Hispanic, Latino, Mexican, Haitian and South American students. Even the President of Spelman Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D. comments on the benefits of HBCU’s and the help they provide students, “what I don’t like is the continued question of why HBCU’s are still needed.” Just from the examples stated they are needed now and in the future. Students find themselves more challenged than ever before so HBCU’s provide an opportunity for higher education. Even in a recent speech about HBCU’s President Obama has claimed that HBCU’s are important to restore the U.S. to its higher ranking as a higher education power house.
HBCU graduates like Darryl “Topshelf” McClenton (FAMU 2010) are future leaders being positive role models for others that strive for a college education and attending HBCU’s. His story is here: http://jos.jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/darryl-mcclenton
Moving into the 21st century for HBCU’s implementing advanced technology maybe a challenge, but HBCU’S face challenges and still turn out capable and confident graduates. If not for the support I received attending an HBCU (SCSU) I would possibly not have graduated and earned a Bachelors nor continued to strive and earn a Masters in Educational Technology. As an instructor at Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, Florida) I find that there is a strong desire to obtain an education by the students that attend HBCU’s. The challenges that the students face are basically life itself. If Blacks are going to compete and contribute to society they must make education a priority for themselves and their children. Education does not always open the doors we think it should, change the minds and perceptions of Blacks by some in society, education empowers the spirit and the mind to press on and to overcome challenges.
Maya Angelo wrote in “Still I Rise”, “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave”; holds true, not to let the challenges of life and the low expectations of people stop you from growing into a better person. Slaves even during the inhumanity of slavery understood the importance of education. Even with the threat of death did Blacks strive to learn to be educated and apply their education to positive contributions to society. HBCU’s where established after slavery, based on religious instruction, but also the desire for Black, African American, and minorities to grow into a society that requires productivity from all.
HBCU teachers, teach from the heart and their experiences not from the microchip or for political gains or what is supposed to be politically correct. HBCU’s are important because they recognize the human element of learning and the growth and potential of their students. Malcolm X’s statement about education can still can be applied even in the 21st century,” “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” HBCU’s prepare future scholars that will influence the world in many career fields on national and international levels.
Our country still benefits from the education that HBCU’s provide, countries outside of the U.S. are seeing this as well and sending their students to attend and experience the HBCU tradition of family bonding and cultural strengthening. HBCU’s still they rise through challenges, struggles and overcoming obstacles that are no less than the travesty of slavery they were born from.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
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