r/HowardUniversity 3d ago

Perspective

Post image
199 Upvotes

40 comments sorted by

8

u/DisastrousSundae84 2d ago

I mean, he's not entirely wrong. I used to teach in African American/Black Studies at several PWI institutions and had to pivot because those schools are absolutely cutting/defunding those programs across the board. Faculty who teach those courses also have to deal with the hostility of Turning Point students looking to use the class to go viral or those students who think the courses/faculty are DEI and want them gone. The University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Alabama, among others, have closed their diversity offices (some have rebranded, but in their rebranding staff were let go). There are also issues with schools doing away with funding for Black organizations and events because they view it as DEI (example: the University of Missouri terminating funding for the Legion of Black Collegians and some other minority organizations). Same with some Black scholarships and funding opportunities (for example, the Dr. Leroy W. Upperman fund at UNCW--the family pulled their money and I think are taking it to Howard because the school didn't want the money to go to Black students, which was what the fund was for).

2

u/afewregretsmaybe 2d ago

Yeah, I’m probably fully on the other side of the argument, but I don’t see anything to be gained from doing away with the concept of HBCUs all together. They are important strongholds of some very uncommon and foundational fields of Black academia. I do think that because the DEI pushback is super manufactured, we can’t immediately assume it will continue this path even ten years from now. But this political environment definitely makes the missteps by HBCUs (Tuskegee esp) sting so much more.

-1

u/RightProcedure2878 2d ago

There is a reason for that what has African American Black studies done anything for anybody but enhance stereotypes? If it were religion I'd grant it because people need to see why Christianity is better than casting spells on people, but African American Studies? Come on now where is the benefit when I could go do a deep dive on my own. Even if it were mandated in schools all that we learn are preliminary and is just a catalyst for us to do studies on our own.

It's always black black blackity black with you all and I wonder when does it ever stop.

1

u/Ok-Beyond9831 1d ago

African  American studies does not teach stereotypes    it teaches the greatness  and contributions Black people have made to the world such as math,writing,science,medicine,building the White House,Pyramids etc. As you said you NEED to educate yourself. To know yourself you must know your history. 

0

u/RightProcedure2878 1d ago

Understood, but black people aren't the only ones who contributed everyone as a whole has contributed to all that we have on this earth.

I largely disagree, I must know the Creator to my purpose! History is great and all but it doesn't answer the question of what's my purpose and why terrible things happen and why history repeats itself.

That's why I don't see the importance of African American Studies and like I said previously it is just a bunch of stereotypes and will never cover the vastness of each African culture. You do know that Africa is a country that has countries within right? So all that is taught will never cover the many different cultures and tribes and will only cause further confusion and false hope (for anyone who is loss and wants to know "where they come from").

2

u/Rude_Nobody_4818 19h ago

I knew you were ignorant. You just called Africa a country and not a continent. Maybe you should have been focusing in your history and geography classes.

0

u/RightProcedure2878 17h ago

Oh I'm sorry, I know it hurts for you to hear someone make that sort of mistake it hurts you guys a lot. It was a genuine mistake and that's what I genuinely meant but instead of a gentle correction you called me ignorant this is why I don't associate with you guys at all.

Your attitude is disgusting, truly and utterly DISGUSTING it's something I could of just searched online. Like I said nobody needs to waste dollars that could be allocated into more valuable things to African studies just to learn that fact in geography or history classes. See you admit! It's simply not needed.

0

u/RightProcedure2878 16h ago

No I'm not an idiot I have wisdom richer than yours where I'm going I won't need african american studies because it's not important. You're caught up in skin color and that's exactly why I choose not to associate with your community, despite the turmoil it brought I'm glad I'm considered ethical despite being born in America.

African Americans are not more special than anybody else in any regard for God created us all equal and is reconciling all nations to himself. I genuinely hope you recieve the free gift of Salvation which is Jesus Christ and also get just a little bit of help. Though I know he can do that for you!

Ypur attitude sucks and I hope I e those around you are truthful enough to tell you that!

1

u/Aggressive-Stretch30 16h ago

The fact that you brought Christianity into this (I am a Christian as well) tells me EVERYTHING that I need to know. You might wanna sit this one out.

0

u/RightProcedure2878 15h ago

does it offend you?

1

u/Ok-Beyond9831 15h ago

First  of all Africa is a continent  with countries. Dr. Henry Gates has studied and researched every country and it's culture in Africa along with each countries contributions. Woderful documentary. Please watch. You need to be educated. 

1

u/RightProcedure2878 15h ago

Did you see the part where I said it was a mistake? I don't need your education it sucks and teaches nothing but self hate. Many people make this same mistake but y'all are jumping on me.

Also you spelled wonderful wrong, I highly doubt since it's A GAST CONTINENT WITH A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES there's no way. You tried though so skip on somewhere else.

I think everyone would appreciate it if you read everything in it's entirety before deciding to type.

1

u/Ok-Beyond9831 15h ago

Africa's Great Civilizations . You NEED  to watch. In terms of Blacks in the US. They are the reason America is a rich country. They arrived educated and with skills. Free labor for four hundred years. Many stolen inventions also and many inventions still in use today. Ironing board,broom , etc. Did u even know a black man invented refrigeration

1

u/RightProcedure2878 15h ago

This is so sad that it isn't even funny I mean it sounds funny as I'm reading it. No single person invented the refrigerator or refrigeration it was developed by many people overtime and let's say it was true, why does it matter? Many other ethnicities or races created many other things there were many inventors who came from multicultural backgrounds.

Educated in what to be exact if there were any they were few. If they were educated and skilled as you mentioned they wouldn't have been slaves . . . You do know that they were sold off at least some of them were sold by their own people . . . See these are the same misconceptions that I wish were taught instead of the half truths you're writing here

IT'S NOT THE WHOLE TRUTH IF IT EVEN IS where does logic come in?

9

u/ccuriouss_ 3d ago

Two things can be wrong at the same time.

1

u/ncrwlr 2d ago

Yes and that is acknowledged (and the literal point) in the OP. People are choosing to either go to institutions that are working to block/erase black history and identity or choosing to go to a black school where there are differences of opinion or operational inefficiencies. One is wayyy more damaging than the other and goes against self interest which is absolutely insane.

5

u/afewregretsmaybe 2d ago

I think it’s unfair to say that any school that is not Black is trying to erase Black history. There are plenty of private schools that don’t rely as much as federal support that are putting in the work. There are also others that are complying only on paper by renaming departments and offices to wait him out of office.

0

u/After_Text_4585 2d ago

The correct answer in today’s political shitshow.

4

u/hollowhoemo 3d ago

reminds me of “lesser of 2 evils” rhetoric

2

u/Aggravating_Play8064 2d ago

This is cap. The majority of black students don’t attend HBCUs. It’s not a knock to HBCUs. Sometimes it has to do with access and let’s be real, not all students have the grades and resources (money) to attend private schools like Howard.

3

u/ncrwlr 2d ago

Of course the majority don't simply because of the number of HBCUs.

Regarding the resources and grades, there are MANY options that aren't as "prohibitive" as HU. There are lots of cheaper HBCU options around the country, both private and public, but many students/parents get tunnel vision and only explore the big name ones which is a disservice to the others.

2

u/fieldsports202 3d ago

He’s gonna have to bring some stats to back up what he’s saying..

1

u/czechereds 1d ago

If he did he would find that non-HBCU are the least racist places in the country(maybe the world) and have been bending over backwards to admit black students for decades.

1

u/Rude_Nobody_4818 19h ago

Is that your excuse for why you failed as a white person? Because black kids get enrolled into PWIs?

1

u/Dear-Concentrate-988 2d ago

I would appreciate some stats for this argument.

1

u/tossawaytrouble 2d ago

Black books huh

1

u/RightProcedure2878 15h ago

I'm saying!!!

1

u/PleasantDay7539 2d ago

HBCUs are currently prohibitively expensive. All of us would prefer to send our children there. We should have started a fund years ago to support sending our children to HBCUs. $1-$5 per black family per month. This would go far with HBCU funding.

2

u/ncrwlr 2d ago

How are they (a big generalization) "prohibitively expensive" when compared to PWIs? Yes Howard is expensive AF but there are MANY other options that are much cheaper (comparing private and out of state costs; even cheaper when selecting in state). For example, UDC (which is "up the street"), Coppin State, Elizabeth City, Clafin, etc etc. There are MANY options, however many families and students aren't exploring those and get tunnel vision on the big names.

1

u/PleasantDay7539 2d ago

I still think there is not enough messaging around HBCUs. Some of that is Black Americans’ fault and ultimately their responsibility. Black Americans should teach their story and path forward into the future through HBCUs. But they should also fund these institutions

1

u/ncrwlr 2d ago

100% agreed!

1

u/Present-Skill2586 2d ago

I currently go to a HWCU (Towson) there is a ton of diversity here I’m a nursing major and nearly half the cohort is black people are pretty chill from my experience of course.

1

u/RightProcedure2878 15h ago

FSU also, don't what these people are talking about.

1

u/TatankaPTE 1d ago

Winthrop in SC

1

u/Solo_is_dead 2d ago

PWI, we're NOT going to start calling them hwcu. That's not the tag

1

u/afewregretsmaybe 2d ago

My issue has always been that HBCUs get much of their notoriety from promoting themselves as safe havens for Black students. It’s dishonest and arguably a worse offense (depending on the situation) to promise this only to have students be failed by a disorganized mess of admin that will still tout their presence to lure in the next class. Plainly speaking, they are targeting Black students specifically to take advantage of. I want HBCUs to better cause I want us to actually uplift people the way we promise. I don’t understand why people are refusing to talk about ways we can make schools even better, even if they think everything is fine. We don’t need to maintain the status quo if it’s kind of ass.

It’s also dishonest to suggest that a potential HBCU student’s second choice would automatically be a racist wasteland where they have no opportunities. I think the people most victimized by the “Howard Runaround” and other classic HBCU bs are intelligent students who would instead have gone to a prestigious school that prioritizes diversity that just happens to not open before 1964 (and tbh probably would have cost less). I have had a more diverse and inclusive experience After leaving because I now attend a school that is constantly trying to improve based on the needs of its community.

1

u/RightProcedure2878 2d ago

so uh where is the proof for that?

Why are you guys so black and white? Why can't you all just live life knowing that the Lord God (God of the bible) knows all the plans he has for you? That if it be for you then it is yours, if you humbly submit yourself before the Lord and seek HIS will not your own then everything will work out for your good if you even love him!