It’s Black History Month as we pay tribute to all HBCUs
College is a tradition in most young people’s lives. Picking a college is the hardest part because you have many questions wondering in your head as you whether you want to go away for college or stay home but whatever decision that you make might be the best decision that you made.
The creation of HBCU started during the Civil War. The first HBCU that was established was Cheyney University in 1837 in Pennsylvania. The mission of a HBCU is to give African Americans an opportunity to get an education and pass on the tradition to the their children. HBCUs were an escape for slaves as they learned how to read and write and not face torture from their slave master.
Since the establishment of HBCUs, they had a major influence on pop culture as Spike Lee wrote and directed a movie about it called, School Daze, starring Laurence Fishburne as it tackled on subjects that were also going on in HBCUs like light vs. dark skinned and the hazing of fraternities and sororities. Bill Cosby created a TV show that was all about the HBCU life and also dealt with hard topics on the show such as date rape, alcohol and abuse. The show lasted for six seasons and raise the enrollment of people attending HBCUs. HBCUs became a massive influence on a young lives and made them the person that they are today.
When I attended Virginia Union University, it was a experience of a lifetime as I dealt with being away from home for the first time in my life. I learned how to be patient in life and also being yourself without losing yourself. During my freshmen year, I learned about the tradition of the Divine Nine (Black Greek Letter Organizations) and what it was like living in a dorm room with a roommate. By my senior year, I learned how to be myself without losing myself and always kept myself busy with my academics as I made the dean’s list. When I graduated from college, I took what I learned and adapted it to the real world and working in a career that I love so much. Without an HBCU, I don’t know what type of experience that I would’ve had.
Many celebrities have graduated and attended HBCUs like hip hop manager, Yandy Smith, who is a cast member of the hit series, Love & Hip Hop. Yandy attended Howard University. R&B singer, K.Michelle, attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Director, Spike Lee, attended Morehouse College (the very first male college). Actress, Keisha Knight Pulliam, attended Spelman College (the very first female college). HBCUs have expanded over the years as they have more diversity within the student body, there have been more classes that studies about hip hop and in the economy.
-Matia (@ms_hip_hop)
