Why historically black colleges are a benefit to society and the community

Historically black colleges and universities are becoming much more important in the st century considering the contentious racial issues currently outstanding around the world. Here, the recent events related to the killing of unarmed black men while in police custody highlights many of the issues that are currently facing the African American community. Even more important, is the lack of wealth and financial acumen with the African American community, which has significantly hindered economic development. Here, both the income and wealth gaps between African American’s and their white and Asian counterparts is alarming. African Americans for example have lower incomes, lower wealth, and a higher likelihood of being incarcerated than their white counterparts. HBCU’s can help alleviate some of these racial concerns and problems but gathering African American intellectual capital together in a single location. It is through these social gatherings and context that progress can be made in many of the issues described above.

To begin HBCU’s are critical to the development of the African American community in the 21ST century. They first provide a single location that can allow ideas, thoughts and opinions to coalesce freely within an academic setting. This is critical to the intellectual development of African Americans, but also their overall network. Within society, a strong network is important to helping to mitigate many of the negative influences that impact minorities within America. As discussed in the introduction, a very pervasive element with the African American community is finance and business. In many instances, these topics are taboo within the community, with many African Americans being unwilling to discuss these topics amongst each other. Likewise, the inability to combine financial resources to start, own, and maintain businesses has been an impediment to the development of the African American community. These factors, combined with a lack of business acumen have inhibited the economic growth of black communities for decades. Historically black colleges and universities can help drive an much more entrepreneurial spirit within the African American community. It can equip minorities with the skills and abilities needed to matriculate through a much more complex business environment. It also provides access to a substantial network of like-minded individuals who can provide the expertise required to be successful in a market environment.

HBCU’s also provide a support system necessary for success not only in college but through life. In particular, African American men need such as support system as they are often facing both internal and external difficulties. The African American community is unique in that it often ostracizes and shuns black men who “Act White.” Here, these men are snubbed by their very own community for, “Speaking Properly,” or for being “Too Smart.” In addition, to the lack of support provided to these individuals, many are even bullied or made fun of throughout their middle and high school years. This is an severe detriment to the black community, as these individuals typically go on to become successful in various career fields. Their financial and intellectual capital is therefore lost to the black community as these individuals rarely, if ever, come back to the community the ridiculed them in their early years. HBCU’s look to help ameliorate this problem by grouping these smart individuals together and providing them with the proper support system. At an HBCU those who were once ostracized by the black community in middle and high school are accepted and welcomed. They are praised for their intellectual curiosity and brilliance. Here, individuals are further encouraging to pursue new, unique, and often controversial solutions to problems faced by the world. This is done by African Americans directly for the benefit of other African Americans making it a much more powerful influence on the individual. Overall, HBCU’s are important as they first provide the skills and abilities needed to be successful in a much more competitive business environment. Second, they provide a support system that can help encourage African Americans as a group, reinforcing their intellectual and academic curiosity.