5 Reasons Black Students Should Not Apply To HBCUs

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have been the preferred decision for some African Americans residing in America. Especially for students who have lived in predominately African American communities or neighborhoods their whole lives. Are HBCUs hurting the minds of young college students and stripping them from knowing their placement in American society? As an African American college student, I’d like to share some of my opinions on this topic.


Before we dive into this topic, keep in mind that African Americans make up about one third of the American workforce percentage. The Labor Force statistics says, “In 2012, Caucasians made up 64% of the workforce, whereas, African Americans made up 61.5% of the workforce.
 
Diversity
Attending a HBCU university or college makes it less likely students will experience diversity. Diversity and inclusion efforts has been an important factor in advancing American societies and neighborhoods. Enabling students to become accustomed to living on campus with one race is limiting their exposure to reality.
 
In addition, what about the African American students that have spent all their lives residing in African American communities and neighborhoods? If they attend a HBCU, then they will continue to not understand or experience diversity settings. This could weaken their chances when they apply for jobs, which are an increasing diverse environment. As previously stated, the American work environment is mostly Caucasian. So, where does this put the students who have only experienced learning in a classroom with less than four other races?
 
Majority 
Attending HBCUs puts African Americans in a fantasy world. In this fantasy world, African Americans are examined as the majority, which will codify other races as minorities. Furthermore, African Americans are in many ways the prime social pariahs who face racial issues and police brutality in America. It isn’t doing them any favors to bestow these students with a false sense that they are the majority, when they are the minorities. When these students get into the real world, they likely have an increased likelihood of experiencing a racial shock, which is racial profiling, and living in the role of minorities.
 
Only Exposed to Black Culture
Attending HBCUs sets the stigma that only racial issues and black culture topics are discussed. Moreover, going to a predominately African American university or college lets the student body continue conversations about important topics such as slavery and African American political issues, how constructive of a discussion will be had in a room full of only African Americans students? A room full of African American students with the same discernment and cognitive thoughts is less likely to further the conversation. If these students attended a college or university that enforces diversity, then they will have comments and questions from other races and ethnicities.
 
Application Question
Some application questions for HBCUs ask African American students about their financial “issues”. In America, African American are viewed as low-income students. So, answering these essay questions shows how far minorities will go to get money. They are willing to expose their full financial history. The college application statement that appears sometimes is “Describe your financial problems and issues?” If HBCUs want their prospective students to get money to attend, they should ask uplifting questions.
 
Curiosity 
Some HBCU students might question if receiving their high education in a diverse college or university would have changed their college experience. Also, upon graduation they realize their friend circle is all African Americans and this limits students to learning different cultures. They have also missed out on an opportunity to expose students of other races to their own viewpoints and experiences.
 
 
 
If you are thinking about attending a HBCU, then you should solely think about the pros and cons. Is living like a majority on campus worth it? Is continuing not to learn about how other races and ethnicities operate not your concern? Novels and television can only describe so much. In my opinion, attending a more diverse university or college will prepare a prospective student for the work environment and reality.