I did not have a choice, it was either attend a Black College and University (HBCU) or the military after high school. It may sound harsh, but looking back, my parents had their ways of motivating me that were crafted especially for me. They knew what I needed and why I needed it before I could verbalize it for myself. I had many options of schools both predominately white institutions (PWIs) and HBCUs but I chose Wilberforce University. I could not beat the fact that it was twenty minutes away from home and scholarship money helped cover my tuition.
In 2014 some of the historically black colleges and universities are being showcased for news that is not so good. The closing down of HBCU's is heartbreaking at best and mocking of our beloved schools is common practice on social media. I understand that the Black College experience is not for everyone. I recognize that times are changing and HBCU's are not as attractive as they used to be but no one is going to tell me that my experience as a student at an HBCU or any of our schools are insignificant.
I have many friends, colleagues and family who are Alum of HBCU's who are proud of their schools and are leaving a legacy just as we were taught to do. Shout out to my people from Prairie View, Central State, Tennessee State, Fisk, Morgan State, Bowie State, North Carolina A&T, Clark Atlanta, Alabama State, Lincoln University, Cheyney, Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A &M, Hampton, Howard, Meharry Medical College, Morris Brown, Shaw, Southern, Spelman, and Morehouse. I probably more too!
All of us recognize that we have a responsibility to uphold the rich traditions of our heritage and our school.
Why do #IOweMyHBCU? Here are 5 reasons:
5: I have lifetime friendships with people who are game changers. Some are Alum, others are through the Wilberforce connection. One of my closest friends was introduced to me though Beverly
Hall-Ogletree (RIP) after she left her counseling job at Wilberforce and went to the College of Wooster. My connections have depth and are significant.
4: Being at an HBCU we were forced to think creatively and out of the box. We were never in our comfort zone being surrounded by the corn fields. We became comfortable with each other, but we recognized that being alone was more dangerous than being together. Just like the Ethiopian Proverb says, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." That is significant.
3: I learned about the accomplishments of African American and other minorities who beat the odds. Every day I walked past murals of significant people and learned not only to identify who they were but I understood that it is my responsibility keep their legacy significant and create a significant legacy of my own.
2: #IOwemyHBCU because I am three generations from slavery and one generation from the Civil Rights movement. Both of my Grandmothers picked cotton. You may have heard the story before but my Grandma Elna is from Barnesville, Georgia. When she tried to register to vote they asked her "How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?" Voting is something many people take for granted. I promised her I would never miss an election as long as I am able.
I understand now that my parents and grandparents observed some things in their life that I never have to experience because they took those hits for me. I will always remember: "Each one teach one, each one reach one." For me this is not a joke, social justice, education and civil rights are significant.
1: #IOwemyHBCU because in that safe place I was able to unpack my own prejudices and process the reality of racism. There were times when my friends and I went to town or surrounding areas and were treated poorly because of other people's perceptions of us. We learned, although painful how to walk with dignity and grace through those times. As an adult, I have had to utilize some of the tools I learned at my HBCU as an employee, as a consumer and as an advocate. We try to say it does not exist anymore but there are still remnants of people from all races who have deep-rooted disdain for others. I am not one of them and that is significant.
I don't have $1,000,000 to make things better for my school or any school but I can raise awareness. We are significant.
Girl, Pray for Me,
PLJ
In 2014 some of the historically black colleges and universities are being showcased for news that is not so good. The closing down of HBCU's is heartbreaking at best and mocking of our beloved schools is common practice on social media. I understand that the Black College experience is not for everyone. I recognize that times are changing and HBCU's are not as attractive as they used to be but no one is going to tell me that my experience as a student at an HBCU or any of our schools are insignificant.
I have many friends, colleagues and family who are Alum of HBCU's who are proud of their schools and are leaving a legacy just as we were taught to do. Shout out to my people from Prairie View, Central State, Tennessee State, Fisk, Morgan State, Bowie State, North Carolina A&T, Clark Atlanta, Alabama State, Lincoln University, Cheyney, Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A &M, Hampton, Howard, Meharry Medical College, Morris Brown, Shaw, Southern, Spelman, and Morehouse. I probably more too!
All of us are doing something.
All of us recognize that we have a responsibility to uphold the rich traditions of our heritage and our school.
We are significant.
Why do #IOweMyHBCU? Here are 5 reasons:
5: I have lifetime friendships with people who are game changers. Some are Alum, others are through the Wilberforce connection. One of my closest friends was introduced to me though Beverly
Hall-Ogletree (RIP) after she left her counseling job at Wilberforce and went to the College of Wooster. My connections have depth and are significant.
4: Being at an HBCU we were forced to think creatively and out of the box. We were never in our comfort zone being surrounded by the corn fields. We became comfortable with each other, but we recognized that being alone was more dangerous than being together. Just like the Ethiopian Proverb says, "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." That is significant.
2: #IOwemyHBCU because I am three generations from slavery and one generation from the Civil Rights movement. Both of my Grandmothers picked cotton. You may have heard the story before but my Grandma Elna is from Barnesville, Georgia. When she tried to register to vote they asked her "How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?" Voting is something many people take for granted. I promised her I would never miss an election as long as I am able.
I understand now that my parents and grandparents observed some things in their life that I never have to experience because they took those hits for me. I will always remember: "Each one teach one, each one reach one." For me this is not a joke, social justice, education and civil rights are significant.
1: #IOwemyHBCU because in that safe place I was able to unpack my own prejudices and process the reality of racism. There were times when my friends and I went to town or surrounding areas and were treated poorly because of other people's perceptions of us. We learned, although painful how to walk with dignity and grace through those times. As an adult, I have had to utilize some of the tools I learned at my HBCU as an employee, as a consumer and as an advocate. We try to say it does not exist anymore but there are still remnants of people from all races who have deep-rooted disdain for others. I am not one of them and that is significant.
I don't have $1,000,000 to make things better for my school or any school but I can raise awareness. We are significant.
Girl, Pray for Me,
PLJ
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