Why Go to an HBCU?

Let me start off by saying I DID NOT attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).  Howard was my first choice but I wasn't accepted so I went to the school that offered me the most scholarship money (Ohio University).

This blog post is inspired by a recent conversation I had with the Founder of Students2Scholars.  This program is designed to help minority students in public schools apply to and, hopefully, get accepted into private schools in our area. (I am a part of her academic advising team). This article isn't written to criticize the Founder but rather to show how her thinking is a good example of what well-meaning white folks really don't know about us and how, even with their good hearts, they can get things twisted.

During a telephone conversation we somehow got on the subject of her volunteering to register students to vote at an HBCU----North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where I presently work as a Professional Writing Consultant.

Founder:  You know I always wondered why anyone would go to an HBCU.  I mean if you're going to spend $20K or more on tuition, wouldn't you think they would want to spend it on a big name college or university. There's better opportunities for networking and connecting for jobs after graduation.  (We call them PWI's:  Predominately White Institutions).

Me:  If you knew the history of HBCU's you would know they were created because blacks weren't allowed to go to the other schools.  In order to further our education, that was the only choice we had.

Founder:  Oh, I understand that.  But I have to tell you I changed my opinion when I went onto the campus.  I got such a feeling of camaraderie amongst the students.  There was a true sense of activism and community and not like anything I ever experienced at my own alma mater.

Me:  I totally agree.  In hindsight I wish I had gone to an HBCU. But would I have been afforded the same opportunities to advance my journalism career as I had by going to OU?  Probably not because back in the day getting a journalism degree from Ohio University carried a lot more weight in the professional world than a degree in broadcast journalism from any HBCU in the country.  I got my first job because the  Program Director of the radio station where I applied was willing to take a chance on me because he knew of the school's reputation for producing quality candidates and I was the first black to work there.

After a few more exchanges we ended the conversation but I hung up thinking how this woman was trying to do her part in making a difference in the lives of others but she really had no clue of our struggle and the hurdles we have to jump over constantly just to prove we are worthy of an opportunity. But she's not alone.  As she has shared with me, a number of her friends see what they are doing as a "charitable cause" to help us advance in an unfair system but at the end of the day she, and many like her, remain blind to the challenges we are always facing professionally AND socially.

This is the same woman who told me she thought racism had ended when Barack Obama became President.  I kid you not!

Here are some other HBCU Facts she probably doesn't know:

60 percent of all Engineering degrees are earned by black students

70 percent of black dentists and physicians earned degrees from an HBCU

40 percent of blacks in Congress come from HBCU's

HBCU's  only have 1/8 of the average size of endowments that PWI's have

Cheyney University of PA was the first HBCU founded in 1837.

Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State), Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse College), Taraji P. Henson (NC A&T/Howard University) and CHADWICK BOSEMAN, who graduated from Howard University in 1995 and went on to star in the Black Panther, which went on to become the top grossing superhero movie of all time!  (RIH)

These are just a few examples of what makes going to an HBCU so special.

Get the F**** Over Here!

Part II: 

Good 'ol Jim, the science teacher at my grandson's school, seriously crossed the line today when he told my grandson to
"Get the F*** Over Here!"  

So here's the story according to all parties involved, INCLUDING Jim, my grandson, and the Middle School Head Teacher........

At the end of the science class period, Jim was going to print out something for Jarod to help him complete his end-of-the-year-science project.  Jim went to his desk and Jarod proceeded to go sit on top of a desk located close to Jim's desk to wait for the printout.  As Jarod turned to go sit down, Jim shouted the profanity---at which time Jarod says he told Jim he shouldn't talk to him like that.  Jim reportedly admitted he messed up, said he was frustrated and thought Jarod was ignoring him.  He then told Jarod to get out of his classroom.

I got a phone call at 10:33 a.m. from Jarod (13 minutes after the incident). Because my phone was on mute I didn't hear it ring.  At 11:05 a.m. I got a text from my daughter that I happened to see right around lunch time:

"9-1-1 CALL ME GOING TO CFS" 
I knew whatever had happened was SERIOUS so when I called I found out about the incident.  So grandma and mama decided it was time to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting with the school.

Of course, Jim wasn't in this meeting but everyone else who was all told the SAME story.  The bottom line is:  HE SAID IT AND HE ADMITTED IT!

One of the options proposed by the Middle School Head Teacher was to remove Jarod from the classroom since there was only a week left but as my daughter so eloquently asked:  "Why should Jarod have to change his routine because of the Jim's ignorance?" I also wanted to know what type of repercussions would he face in light of his behavior?  A school founded on Quaker principals should NEVER, EVER tolerate a teacher cursing at a student.  As a matter of fact, no school should ever condone it!

One thing I will say about the meeting is I felt the Kip (the Head Middle School Headmaster) was truly genuine. I could feel his heart and he, as a white male with all kinds of privilege, clearly understands what Jarod is always going to be up against.  It made us feel good to know he pronounced, unequivocally, that they had Jarod's back in this situation and wanted him to know they would always be fighting for him.

We left this meeting requesting another one with Jim and the Head of School so stay tuned for my next report.  Jim may be forced into early retirement!

How White is Too White to Teach Black Students?

"What's good in the 'hood, bro? said Jim, the science teacher, as he attempted to fist bump with the student.

Student response:  "Nothing."

Jim, in this case, is a REAL-LIFE 60-something white male who teaches at a predominately white private school in my area.  The student he tried to "be down with" is my grandson, Jarod, who is the ONLY black student in Jim's science class. 

The interaction between the two came to a head last week when Jim was trying to quiet down the class----at which time my grandson said to Jim, "I wasn't doing anything.

Jim's response:  "Boy! If you say that to the police, you're going to jail!"  
So what in the hell was that comment for???

Jarod says he sat in silence but two of his classmates, who were furious over the comment, reported it to the 7th grade advisor.   

I learned about the incident, after picking him up from school:

Me:  "How was your day?"

Jarod:  "I had to have a meeting with my advisor about Jim."

Me:  What?!  What happened in gym?"

Jarod:  "No---Jim, my teacher."

Me:  "O.K. so what happened?"

And that's when he shared details of that particular incident.  BUT THERE'S MORE!  According to Jarod, Jim is always trying to talk "black" when he speaks to him (or what he thinks is black speech) but he speaks properly to the other kids in the class.  Obviously Jim has been watching too many reruns of  Good Times because he must believe all black families come from the Projects and we all speak broken English. 

Once I dropped Jarod off at basketball practice, I got on the phone and called his advisor for the 4-1-1.  She confirmed everything and agreed with my stand on the issue.  She said one of the young girls who came to her was extremely upset about the way Jim talked to Jarod.  She also said that student was among some who are currently reading Rolling Thunder:  Hear My Cry (Mildred Taylor) and have developed a heightened awareness and sensitivity to racial issues.  I say good for them and am very thankful they took up for my grandson because Jarod probably wouldn't have shared it.

Here's what I know about Jim:  He's an older, white male, who's been teaching at my grandson's school for 13-14 years.  Surely, he's seen quite a few changes at this private school during that time frame since blacks were probably not even going there when he first started.  Jim also gives me the impression he has never taught or had much interaction with black students.  When I met him, I tried not to view him as racist; instead I saw a older, conservative white male who wasn't personable and appeared to be unapproachable to me as a black woman.  He did, however, interact quite nicely with the white grandparents when we visited his class during Grandparents Day at the school.

As I explained to the advisor, she did not want me or my daughter to have to come up to the school to lead a session on diversity training because we certainly would!  She assured me it would be handled. We'll see...........................

Giving Children Grand Support

Today at my grandson's school there was a special event: Boys to Men Luncheon. Fathers, granddads, brothers, uncles, cousins, mentors, males role models were invited to come hang out with their child and enjoy lunch---let me say TRY to enjoy lunch because I've eaten in that cafeteria.

I decided to pop in to capture a Kodak moment and much to my surprise, the parking lot was jam-packed with cars. Once inside the cafeteria, I was overcome with emotion when I saw ALL of the men who had shown up to eat with their kids. These men took time out of their day to do something they believed was important.

I am a firm believer that when men show up as an active and loving participant in their children's lives, the children fare much better because of it. Moms and grand moms are used to doing it but seeing a positive male role model in a child's life speaks volumes and, whether you want to believe it or not, teachers do notice those things because then they know they have another level of support to reach out to.

My grandson was represented today by his grandfather and great-grandfather and his dad, who I'm sure was smiling down from Heaven.

Thank you Spring Valley for a wonderful idea!

When Your Best Isn't Good Enough

My four-year-old grandson is facing a dilemna that he is totally unaware of. Although he is READY for kindergarten, both emotionally and academically, he will not be permitted to attend next year because his birthdate falls past the cutoff date. The cutoff date is August 31---his birthday is September 6.

We were given three options:

1) Get tested for the Durham Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program
2) Get tested for early entrance in kindergarten
3) Return to daycare

On Wednesday, my grandson was tested by the Durham Public Schools Pre-K program. He scored in the 94 percentile. The tester told my daughter she was very impressed with his skills but was doubtful that he would be accepted because his score was TOO HIGH. He needed to score BELOW 60 percent. What in the %!#$%*!?! Are they serious?!

Option Two: In order to be tested for early entry into kindergarten, we must pay $500 to see if he will score in the 98 percentile. And if he doesn't pass, well, too bad--there's no refund.

Option Three: Return to daycare with two, three and four year olds. NOT A VIABLE OPTION!

My grandson proved this week that he deserves to be in kindergarten but because of some ridiclous North Carolina Board of Education Law, he may be held back because he will have to be on a first grade level in order to pass a test for kindergarten.

Sadly, the same system that is trying to promote academic excellence is also the same one that is holding kids back from being able to shine when they're ready.

So what happens when my grandson does finally enter kindergarten at 6 years old and is bored out of his mind because he already knows what 70 percent of his fellow classmates don't know? Will he then be considered a discipline problem?

How do you tell a child their best isn't good enough when you know in your heart, it really is?