I think these studies like Stanford's that attribute racism as a factor in HBCU selection are getting it sort of right, but are putting emphasis in the wrong place. As a professor at an HBCU, I often assign an autobiographical writing exercise called "Why did you choose [this HBCU]?" I've seen three consistent answers over the years: 1) "my mom/auntie/other family member went here and inspired me to apply" or "my high school counselor got me excited about this school," 2) affordability, and 3) "I wanted to be where the environment is built just for me." I think Stanford and others are clumsily trying to get at Reason #3, but are still centering PWIs and whiteness by asking why these particular Black students aren't choosing PWIs rather than why they are choosing HBCUs. More often than not, Black students are choosing HBCUs BECAUSE of the Black intellectual and social environment rather than to flee racism; the absence of racism is just an added bonus of being at a Black-centered campus. This is why a PWI can never successfully recreate or imitate an HBCU, no matter how much funding they try to pour into diversity & inclusion initiatives.
Great points noted- and while the percentage decreased in 2018- the last two years, in particular 2020- has shown the value of Black men and women in sports, and how they can "shift the narrative" based on the school of their choice. Being able to dispel the misnomer that only PWIs produce national players is going to create an upswing in HBCUs and athletes. Additionally, this falsehood that there are no "educated black people" to select for corporate roles will also show an intentional recruit of black students from HBCUs... for those who know ... know HBCUs have always been the leaders in producing awesome Black professionals however now many many more will know... or rather "they" will now know. -NIC
I think these studies like Stanford's that attribute racism as a factor in HBCU selection are getting it sort of right, but are putting emphasis in the wrong place. As a professor at an HBCU, I often assign an autobiographical writing exercise called "Why did you choose [this HBCU]?" I've seen three consistent answers over the years: 1) "my mom/auntie/other family member went here and inspired me to apply" or "my high school counselor got me excited about this school," 2) affordability, and 3) "I wanted to be where the environment is built just for me." I think Stanford and others are clumsily trying to get at Reason #3, but are still centering PWIs and whiteness by asking why these particular Black students aren't choosing PWIs rather than why they are choosing HBCUs. More often than not, Black students are choosing HBCUs BECAUSE of the Black intellectual and social environment rather than to flee racism; the absence of racism is just an added bonus of being at a Black-centered campus. This is why a PWI can never successfully recreate or imitate an HBCU, no matter how much funding they try to pour into diversity & inclusion initiatives.
Great points noted- and while the percentage decreased in 2018- the last two years, in particular 2020- has shown the value of Black men and women in sports, and how they can "shift the narrative" based on the school of their choice. Being able to dispel the misnomer that only PWIs produce national players is going to create an upswing in HBCUs and athletes. Additionally, this falsehood that there are no "educated black people" to select for corporate roles will also show an intentional recruit of black students from HBCUs... for those who know ... know HBCUs have always been the leaders in producing awesome Black professionals however now many many more will know... or rather "they" will now know. -NIC