HBCUs & PWIs

Recently, I visited one of my new favorite blogs - Stuff Educated Black People Like, and a question was posed asking which type of institution, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) does a better job of educating black students. Let me just say that I think this is a dumb question - leave it to some idiot to try to sow discord between black college grads. However, I do get tired of graduates of PWIs always saying how HBCUs provide a "false sense of reality." As I stated in my response, HBCUs aren’t for everyone, but please don’t criticize those of us who chose to attend one. See my response below.

Let me begin by saying that I am a proud graduate of an HBCU, and I’d recommend it to any black student. I grew up attending PWIs, and I, in addition to my other black classmates chose to attend HBCUs upon graduation, because we wanted a different experience. I always find it amusing how some graduates of PWIs feel the need to "validate" themselves by stating that HBCUs provide a "false sense of reality." What’s even more amusing was that they’d break their necks to get to our campus for parties, step shows, probates, etc. Hmm, I thought we were living in a false sense of reality! Why don’t y’all stay on your campus and party with each other? Why are ya’ll pressed to show up at our Homecoming? HBCUs provide black students with the opportunity to be in the majority – a chance to live and socialize with other students who look like them and share some of the same interests and experiences. HBCUs aren’t for everyone, but don’t try to discourage students who may be considering attending one - that sounds like the "crabs in a barrel" mentality to me. I earned my degree just like you did!