The news that a high-achieving white guy is Morehouse's valedictorian this year was met with a variety of responses ranging from "so what?" to "you go, boy!" to "why the hell couldn't a black guy with a 4.0 have been the valedictorian?" Although it is a first for a white student to deliver the valedictory address at Morehouse, there's nothing new about white students at HBCUs. And the trend is growing.
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote about how HBCUs are becoming more attractive to non-black students because of the availability of scholarships and the low cost — most HBCU's cost an average of $10,000 less than other colleges and universities. Some schools, like Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State in Mississippi, were forced to desegregate in order to receive much-needed aid from the state.
There's obviously some resistance to the diversification of HBCUs (for obvious reasons), but these schools were founded to cater to blacks who were barred from studying at mainstream institutions, not so that black students could study in a strictly segregated atmosphere in perpetuity. And although black students can now go anywhere, depending on their grades and test scores, these schools are still offering social and academic opportunities to black students — and now many non-black students — who want to study in an HBCU atmosphere. A handful of white students shouldn't change the character or mission of these colleges, most of which are still overwhelmingly attended by black students.
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Nope! The world is not all black as it is not all white. Diversity is a good thing, prejudices arise when one has not interaction beyond their own group. I have meet many white people who have minority scholarships to FAMU
Many of the nonblack students attracted to Howard Law are stellar students who receive academic scholarships. The valedictorian for the class of 2008 is a white woman.
but dont forget the need for black colleges are still alive. HWCU's (historically white colleges) are not always the most welcoming and socially productive (esp. in with networking) places for blacks to be. yes they were established out because of past woes but somethings will never change completely.
i'll never understand why a white person would want to go to a black school unless they are going through an identity crisis or it's a last resort.
I'm w/ Monica on her last statement, I'll be perfect honest–I don't understand that either.
*M*,
I went to school that celebrated its diversity with billboards along the highways nearby. Yet, this school was a classic example of diverse but separate.
This is still a country that struggles with tolerance. Diversity doesn't necessarily equate with tolerance. Most people deal with others only because they have to.
"i’ll never understand why a white person would want to go to a black school unless they are going through an identity crisis or it’s a last resort."
WTF?
i’ll never understand why a (Black) person would want to go to a (white) school unless they are going through an identity crisis or it’s a last resort.
nope, does not make sense either way.
Anonoymiss-my school is sort of like that also, but there is plenty of interaction amongst the group. If the schools are completely separate, then their will be no interaction at all.
@ Monica and sophistAKAted RE: "i’ll never understand why a white person would want to go to a black school unless they are going through an identity crisis or it’s a last resort."
This isn't a critique of Monica's first point. HWCU's are not always welcoming environments. I don't disagree with that.
However, I'm not sure if you realize the implicit devaluation of African-American culture within the above-quoted statement. That statement essentially states that a white person would want to have absolutely nothing to do with living, learning, dining, loving, socializing, playing spades, dancing, etc. with black people at an HBCU for 4 (or more years) unless (a) they are in the midst of an emotional or personal crisis or (b) things are soooooo bad, that they have no other choice.
Describing something as a last resort inherently implies that it is negative. Bankruptcy is a last resort. Cutting off your cable due to money woes is a last resort. Divorce is a last resort. The only available motel room that is dirty and dingy is, literally, the last resort. I'm not sure why we would view a white person's attendance at an HBCU as a last resort (or something chosen by a white person who is unsure of who he or she is).
Somehow, I doubt that you were trying to say this, but it almost seems as if you're saying, "Why would you want to come to this last resort institution, when you can have better?"
'06
If more of us went to these schools - and college in general - I don't think anyone would care about a white face here and there.
HBCU are dying so they have to willing to accept non black students. I don't think we should complain as more of us attend HWCU.
I'm not white and I'm not black. both HBCUs and HWCUs are equally attractive to me.