Historical Black Colleges And Universities

Historical Black Colleges and Universities

Alex Smith

African Americans have one of the deepest histories of any race. Not only do they have a deep history but it might be one of the most knowledgeable and interesting histories. The Europeans became the first to explore life in Africa. The Portuguese were invited by the King of Kongo to share with African people about the Portuguese customs. The Portuguese taught Africans about their faith and ideas about life outside of Africa. However, the Portuguese decided to enslave Africans and force them to do hard labor, the beginning of a historical and troubling past. Prince Henry the Navigator instructed his men to travel to Africa and bring back Africans. They kidnapped 12 people and brought them back to Lisbon. Approximately 9 million people were brought to the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean during the slave trade. Another 12 million were dead within a year of being captured and 7 million more people were still enslaved in Africa (Ciment 2001). What the Europeans started was a discriminatory vision of African Americans that, unfortunately, still exists in some fashions today. Numerous years later, slaves in the United States tried many different tactics to gain independence. Some fought in the Civil War, some slaves tried escaping to the North and out West and others led revolts and uprisings. Harriet Tubman and others helped The Underground Railroad succeed in bringing runaway slaves to freedom in the North. Slaves led revolts against their masters. There were too many slaves that died fighting for their freedom and for the ignorance of mankind. Slowly, slaves received more freedom and they were finally beginning to be educated. African Americans have traveled a great journey from being slaves and having no rights to today, when they are considered equal to all others. The idea of blacks being educated is something that not many people would have thought could happen. Every hardship and obstacle that they have endured has made them stronger and has brought them to where they are today. That is why HBCU’s were set up and still standing strong today. An education is important to many people and Historical Black Colleges and Universities strive towards educating African Americans about their history. They want African Americans to know where they came from, to be proud of it, and to be their own individual.

Most historical Black Colleges and Universities were not formed with an emphasis on reading and writing. At the time some of these HBCU’s formed, the majority of African Americans still were not permitted to read or go to school. An education was for white people and only the select few blacks had the chance and opportunity to learn. Grambling State, for instance, was built and formed to educate farmers. The school was started for blacks to have a place to gather and learn. Among the many things they learned was how to produce bigger and better crops. They were taught different techniques that might make the work easier and more time consuming. Grambling State was created in 1901 but most HBCU’s are anywhere from 50-100 years old. The oldest Historical Black College and University was formed in 1837 (http://www.doi.gov/hrm/black.html). There are over 100 HBCU’s located throughout the United States. Some HBCU’s are private schools, like Morehouse College, but many are public schools. Something that is really interesting is that some community colleges are considered to be HBCU’s. There are 16 Historical Black Colleges and Universities that are 2 year colleges, both public and private (http://www.doi.gov/hrm/black.html). Members of the church seemed to be the most influential in starting these schools. The church and its congregation are a tight knit family, all who wanted times to change for the better. Ministers were able to inform their members of the surroundings they faced everyday. There were numerous ministers or pastors who started schools. The church was really the only place to turn to. Some of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities first presidents were ministers. Schools were set up in church basements and to show their gratitude they named the school after them or placed them as the school president. Without the church, many HBCU’s would not have formed and would probably not be here today. Recruiting has made the Historical Black Colleges and Universities what they are today. Their main mission and their vision are to inform and help educate African Americans while they prepare them for what their future might hold. HBCU’s have something that not all other universities have and that is history. Obviously all schools have history but most of the schools were not formed on the basis of educating blacks. Student’s lives are enriched with history. HBCU’s want students who are interested in learning more about their race and ancestors while providing them with the education that will help them succeed in life.

School accreditation is playing a major role in schooling. In high school, there are the possibilities of the schools losing their accreditation. For example, if high school students do not fair as well as other schools in standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, the state can take away their accreditation. Most colleges need to be accredited to be considered a schooling establishment. Grambling State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools located in Decatur, Georgia. At Grambling State, 95% of all degree programs are accredited and 100% of all graduate degree programs are accredited (http://www.gram.edu/GSU/accredit.htm). Southern University at New Orleans is also accredited by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Southern University received its reaffirmation of its accreditation in 2000 (http://www.suno.edu/about_suno/fast_facts.htm). The Department of Economics and Business Administration at Morehouse College is accredited by the American Association of Schools and Colleges of Business (http://www.morehouse.edu/aboutmc/history/index.php). Morehouse received its reaccredidation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well.

Located 60 miles from Shreveport, Louisiana, Grambling State University rests on 360 acres in Grambling, Louisiana. Grambling State is one of the most famous and notarized Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Grambling State was first known as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural of Lincoln Parrish. It was first established in 1901 as a private industrial school to educate blacks. A man by the name of Charles P. Adams was the schools first president.