Stereotyping HBCU's

[AKA2D '91]

Soror TX:

THE BEST HBCUs are in your neighboring state, LOUISIANA! LOL

They play each other in the BAYOU CLASSIC

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

Soror TX:

THE BEST HBCUs are in your neighboring state, LOUISIANA! LOL

They play each other in the BAYOU CLASSIC

So true!!!

[ziasha07]

It's funny because as a senior I made my decisions this year. I still receive crap from classmates and friends for choosing an HBCU over a PWI. "You're such a smart girl... etc." Why is it that our schools are seen as substandard? I feel like I/we will receive a more well rounded education (Life experiences outside of the classroom) at an HBCU than I will at a PWI.

[Little32]

When I was choosing my school, way back in the day, I had a guidance counselor tell me that HBCUs were for people who didn't know themselves or their heritage. She told me that I would do better at insert ivy league school here. Later I found out that our school had a relationship with that institution and received some sort of benefit for every student that went there.

HBCUs are wonderful schools were you can receive a wonderful education. They have their advantages and some disadvantages--just like every other school. Anyone who questions the quality of the education that you might receive at such an institution just by virtue of that designation merely demonstrates how they have internalized firmly engrained racist ideologies. Forget them.

[Lyoness]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

I still receive crap from classmates and friends for choosing an HBCU over a PWI. "You're such a smart girl... etc." Why is it that our schools are seen as substandard? I feel like I/we will receive a more well rounded education (Life experiences outside of the classroom) at an HBCU than I will at a PWI.

I went thru this situation when I made the decision to go to an HBCU. My father's family to this day (this was back in '99) still makes comments. "You need to learn how to be around white ppl" Don't go to a N*$#^($ school. I'm from Indiana... I don't think that's a problem. I got alot of support from my mother, and HS teachers (white). At the time at IU, white supremicists were posting flyers and shouting the n-word at ppl. Sorry, not interested in that game.

My dad is still angry that I decided to go to an HBCU instead of IU. Still makes snide remarks about my school, my friends and will just break out with "Do you think you would be doing non-pretigious job/grad program/have bad car if you had gone to Ivy League". I'm his only child with a college degree!! My family thinks it was a second class education nevermind the fact that I'm one of 5/30 grandkids with a degree. 3/5 of us went to HBCUs. I, like the original poster, was offered admissions to Ivys and didn't go. I have 2 cousins at Univ. and they aren't doing anything significant.. no volunteering, no groups. I don't think they really have mentors or older students to really talk to and get advice. Otherwise someone would have told them that those wrist tattoos weren't a good idea.

Looking back, one good thing about HBCUs is that you have mentors and continuous encouragement about what black ppl CAN do. You see it everyday in class and those around you. Black ppl studying science, law, business. It's empowering.

But on the other hand, I totally understand not everyone being able to afford it. I know I wouldn't have been able to go w/o my scholarship. But in the end college is what you make of it. Seize every opportunity.

[Ceekit]

My undergraduate experience was spent at University of Maryland (Go Terps!!) eventhough it was not my first choice. I thought that I was going to be attending Bowie State University because they were going to give me money for playing basketball. Well, they somehow ran out of money and I didn't see paying to play for them when I could get free tuition at the school that my mom worked at. It didn't matter to me which school I went to, as long as they had my major. However I did attend Bowie for grad school. I did see big difference in the administration and the attitude from the instructors between the schools but I don't know if I was just stereotyping or if it was fact.

[nonchalant]

I've heard a lot of stereotypes pertaining to the school I attended. I went to Alabama A&M University. A lot of people say they won't go there due to it being extremely ghetto. There have been people killed on campus. I have been told you shouldn't go there unless your major is music or education. I was a computer science & mathematics double major. To be fair, the mathematics department was on point. However, the computer science department sucked. They didn't have enough computers in the classrooms to accomodate the students. Needless to say, I ended up transferring to another school. I love AAMU, but you know your school is ghetto when you chant "AAM, AAM, AAM, AAM, U woooo a booty booty." I still claim being a bulldog, and I still go the homecoming. Also, you know something is wrong when the dancing girls constantly change their name.

"Alabama A&M. Rich in Heritage Divine....."
Normal's Hill brings all types of thrills.

[DSTMystique]

Well, I went to Grambling for undergrad (in the late 80's) and when I got down there (all the way from Michigan), I was so excited to be associated with an HBCU with so much history. My excitement wore off real soon once I saw how money was being mismanaged and how nepotism ran rampant in the administration. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hooking people up, but they need to at least be QUALIFIED for the job.

At Grambling, our President left under strange circumstances and then that started a "revolving door" of Presidents for the next 15 years. Then we all heard about the accredidation fiasco, and Gramblinites know about the "buy a brick" scam leading up to our Centennial.....

Although I love "Dear Ole' Grambling", I look at it totally different now. I went back to homecoming recently and didn't recognize the campus or the atomosphere.

I went to Michigan State for grad school and while the social scene wasn't on and popping, a lot of things were handled differently. I registered in 5 minutes, over the phone. I had housing, I had my stipend/fellowship ready for me when I got there, and on and on and on. But strangely enough, even though I lived in Detroit after I graduated (1 hour away from MSU), I NEVER went to homecoming, but I would go all the way back to Louisiana for Grambling's homecoming or the Bayou Classic. I guess that speaks to the impact that HBCU's have on our lives.

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by DSTMystique

Well, I went to Grambling for undergrad (in the late 80's) and when I got down there (all the way from Michigan), I was so excited to be associated with an HBCU with so much history. My excitement wore off real soon once I saw how money was being mismanaged and how nepotism ran rampant in the administration. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hooking people up, but they need to at least be QUALIFIED for the job.

At Grambling, our President left under strange circumstances and then that started a "revolving door" of Presidents for the next 15 years. Then we all heard about the accredidation fiasco, and Gramblinites know about the "buy a brick" scam leading up to our Centennial.....

Although I love "Dear Ole' Grambling", I look at it totally different now. I went back to homecoming recently and didn't recognize the campus or the atomosphere.

I went to Michigan State for grad school and while the social scene wasn't on and popping, a lot of things were handled differently. I registered in 5 minutes, over the phone. I had housing, I had my stipend/fellowship ready for me when I got there, and on and on and on. But strangely enough, even though I lived in Detroit after I graduated (1 hour away from MSU), I NEVER went to homecoming, but I would go all the way back to Louisiana for Grambling's homecoming or the Bayou Classic. I guess that speaks to the impact that HBCU's have on our lives.

I agree I loved Southern despite the foolishness, but I also think I could tolerate it at 20 years old. I am almost 30 and I can't deal with that now. I graduate from PVAMU this fall and don't think I will want much to do with the school after I finish which is so sad. HBCU's produce some our brightest and most successful people, but if they want to keep them and bring prestige and class to their schools they are going to have to step up their game!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by DSTMystique

Well, I went to Grambling for undergrad (in the late 80's) and when I got down there (all the way from Michigan), I was so excited to be associated with an HBCU with so much history. My excitement wore off real soon once I saw how money was being mismanaged and how nepotism ran rampant in the administration. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hooking people up, but they need to at least be QUALIFIED for the job.

At Grambling, our President left under strange circumstances and then that started a "revolving door" of Presidents for the next 15 years. Then we all heard about the accredidation fiasco, and Gramblinites know about the "buy a brick" scam leading up to our Centennial.....
Although I love "Dear Ole' Grambling", I look at it totally different now. I went back to homecoming recently and didn't recognize the campus or the atomosphere.

I went to Michigan State for grad school and while the social scene wasn't on and popping, a lot of things were handled differently. I registered in 5 minutes, over the phone. I had housing, I had my stipend/fellowship ready for me when I got there, and on and on and on. But strangely enough, even though I lived in Detroit after I graduated (1 hour away from MSU), I NEVER went to homecoming, but I would go all the way back to Louisiana for Grambling's homecoming or the Bayou Classic. I guess that speaks to the impact that HBCU's have on our lives.

Sister-Greek, could you pm me about the scam. I was there 89-90.

[akadoll1908]

Originally Posted by DSTMystique

Well, I went to Grambling for undergrad (in the late 80's) and when I got down there (all the way from Michigan), I was so excited to be associated with an HBCU with so much history. My excitement wore off real soon once I saw how money was being mismanaged and how nepotism ran rampant in the administration. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hooking people up, but they need to at least be QUALIFIED for the job.

At Grambling, our President left under strange circumstances and then that started a "revolving door" of Presidents for the next 15 years. Then we all heard about the accredidation fiasco, and Gramblinites know about the "buy a brick" scam leading up to our Centennial.....

Although I love "Dear Ole' Grambling", I look at it totally different now. I went back to homecoming recently and didn't recognize the campus or the atomosphere.

I went to Michigan State for grad school and while the social scene wasn't on and popping, a lot of things were handled differently. I registered in 5 minutes, over the phone. I had housing, I had my stipend/fellowship ready for me when I got there, and on and on and on. But strangely enough, even though I lived in Detroit after I graduated (1 hour away from MSU), I NEVER went to homecoming, but I would go all the way back to Louisiana for Grambling's homecoming or the Bayou Classic. I guess that speaks to the impact that HBCU's have on our lives.

I graduated from Grambling in 2000 and nothing has change since you left!

[BlessedOne04]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

I feel like I/we will receive a more well rounded education (Life experiences outside of the classroom) at an HBCU than I will at a PWI.

I am not so sure I can agree with you here. I think life experiences are unique to each person. For example I went to predominately Black schools through high school and I loved that experience. However for college I felt as though I needed a change so I went to a PWI and for me it gave me a well rounded education. The reality is that college is what YOU make it and you can learn as much or as little about life anywhere you go. The determining factor is how open or closed you mind is.

I have heard alot of different stereotypes from friends who went to HBCU's. Being smarter, I believed half of what people said! In looking for colleges I went on two college tours, one for HBCU's and one for PWI. There were pros and cons to both. Needless to say that money, Mommy, and level of comfort were what made my ultimate decision.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

I am not so sure I can agree with you here. I think life experiences are unique to each person. For example I went to predominately Black schools through high school and I loved that experience. However for college I felt as though I needed a change so I went to a PWI and for me it gave me a well rounded education. The reality is that college is what YOU make it and you can learn as much or as little about life anywhere you go. The determining factor is how open or closed you mind is.

I have heard alot of different stereotypes from friends who went to HBCU's. Being smarter, I believed half of what people said! In looking for colleges I went on two college tours, one for HBCU's and one for PWI. There were pros and cons to both. Needless to say that money, Mommy, and level of comfort were what made my ultimate decision.

You have a point. My daughter grew up in MN needed the HBCU experience. I on the other hand grew up in St. Louis, lived in an all Black neighborhood and attended an all Black high school. I needed the PWI experience to understand that not all White folx were like the ones in the Lou.

[ziasha07]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

I am not so sure I can agree with you here. I think life experiences are unique to each person. For example I went to predominately Black schools through high school and I loved that experience. However for college I felt as though I needed a change so I went to a PWI and for me it gave me a well rounded education. The reality is that college is what YOU make it and you can learn as much or as little about life anywhere you go. The determining factor is how open or closed you mind is.

I have heard alot of different stereotypes from friends who went to HBCU's. Being smarter, I believed half of what people said! In looking for colleges I went on two college tours, one for HBCU's and one for PWI. There were pros and cons to both. Needless to say that money, Mommy, and level of comfort were what made my ultimate decision.

Originally Posted by ladygreek

You have a point. My daughter grew up in MN needed the HBCU experience. I on the other hand grew up in St. Louis, lived in an all Black neighborhood and attended an all Black high school. I needed the PWI experience to understand that not all White folx were like the ones in the Lou.

True true. I've been going to mostly white schools my whole life. HBCU's just seemed like the only option for me. One of my friends is opposite. She's a rising senior who has been going to mostly black schools. She's looking at all PWI's.

[BlessedOne04]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I needed the PWI experience to understand that not all White folx were like the ones in the Lou.

At least you saw white people!!