The first waves of research project presentations were interesting but didn’t truly relate to me. The subject matter was well put together and the presenters seemed to be well informed in their field of research. However, topics such as kidney donations and nutrition don’t relate to my everyday life. So as I planned to bored and braced myself for the longest 50 minutes if my life something happened. I became interested in a presentation. I was drawn in instantly just by their title. Are HBCU’s still necessary, are they accomplishing their mission, and is it time for a new mission. As a Howard student this type of presentation affects all of us. These may be the type of questions PCAR asked themselves before they started their presentation. Their presentation began to answer some of these questions.
One of the main sources used in this presentation was an article that stated HBCU have served their purpose in the past but they are today ineffective and unnecessary. These institutions were the result of racism and raised a generation of black professionals but today African Americans find success at numerous institutions and HBCU graduation rates are declining as well as their facilities. That statement angered me. It discussed nothing of the Eurocentric culture of education. The sense of disconnection from the black community these African American graduates gain. Moreover, as the presentation continues the audience is informed of the fact that 82% of African Americans with PHD’s graduated from HBCU’s. It is true that HBCU’s need to “step up” their graduation rates and facilities but their commitment to education and he community is as strong as ever.
By:Stanford Fraser
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