Saving Black Communities and Supporting HBCU’s

[williamjackson]

Saving Black Communities and Supporting HBCU's
by William Jackson

Community Panel Discussion
http://mosaiclifestyles.com/blog/2014/04/13/mosaiclifestyleapril15202014/
Thursday, April 17th

This blog is inspired by:
Living Education: Re-Defining The Narrative:
The Importance of HBCUs and the Role of Alumni
an online Google Hangout Discussion SUPPORTING HBCU's
http://forestoftheraineducation.weebly.com/living-education-re-defining-the-narrative-the-importance-of-hbcus-and-the-role-of-alumni.html

The presence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
is diminishing as the century of change and innovation grows.
These historically and culturally rich iconic institutions are
closing their doors to future generations of intellectual and
skilled African Americans.

"Blacks are losing their educational heritage and appear to
be apathetic about it.." Hbcu Kidz

HBCU KIDZ words that are frequently
heard cross this nation. "The power of education can never
be diminished for the potential to lift a person, a family
and a culture from the ravages of poverty and slavery
(intellectual, economic, political and educational)."
Wm Jackson, Educator and Professor at Edward Waters College.

"We are on dangerous grounds about education and culture"
in the Black community. Hbcu Kidz Too many are not taking
education seriously and lacking skills for new high tech careers.
Unemployment is high because too many Blacks lack 21st
century technical skills and caught in mentalities of service and
not leadership and innovation.



Wm Jackson Graduate of South Carolina State University 1985 and
Sean Jackson Graduate of Florida A&M University 2014


The formation of the nation's HBCUs began helping Blacks
in attaining an education. Obtaining an education was
nearly impossible for most African Americans that are newly
free from slavery. Reading and writing had to be
taught in secret to avoid beatings, lynching's, rapes and other
consequences often with dire results. The Civil War came to
an end and Blacks recognized that their minds had to be free
as well as their bodies.
As a graduate of an HBCU, South Carolina State University
and Professor of Educational Technology at an HBCU -
Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida I see the
challenges that HBCU's face and the promise having the
faith in the ability to prepare African Americans for a complex
society, I support my son attending an HBCU – Florida A&M
University and any other child.

The recent closing of St. Paul's College in Virginia creates
another void and the loss of knowledge that can never be replaced.
A former enslaved African began a school in 1888 which grew
up to become St. Paul's College. As of April 9th 2014 the 137 acres
and historical buildings will be up for auction. An auction similar
to what the slaves experienced that tore apart families, destroyed
generations of greatness and shows once again that unfortunately
when African Americans achieve their goals of economic and
educational success they turn a blind eye to the past and helping
Black institutions in their growth and contribution.
Information on St. Paul's College provided by HbcuKidz :
http://www.hbcukidz.com/social-media.html

HBCU Development and Influence
http://forestoftheraineducation.weebly.com/living-education-re-defining-the-narrative-the-importance-of-hbcus-and-the-role-of-alumni.html

"In this age of opportunity and technology abound we are
becoming as WEAK as our weakest links." HBCUKidz



HBCU's foundations were on creating atmospheres of
educational opportunities for freed slaves to learn skills
that enabled freed slaves to provide for their families and
compete for jobs. Blacks were not allowed to attend
white institutions so Blacks created their own, based on a
foundation of skills that Blacks could compete for jobs,
although never given equal opportunities Blacks still
took advantage of the chance to learn. What has happened
in the 21st century, blame cannot be totally placed on
educators and schools. How many Black homes have
reading libraries, how many homes take trips to libraries,
explore museums and planetariums?



The importance of education can be seen in data that
approximately 214,000, or 16 percent of African-American
higher education students in the nation are enrolled at HBCUs.
HBCUs produce approximately half of all African-American
teachers, Washington Monthly magazine states that
HBCUs outperform non-HBCUs in their education of
African-Americans as well as their ability to improve the
economic status of low-income students. HBCU's contribute
to the growth of the Black middle class because these
institutions contribute much to the social, economic, and
political balance of the nation.

Unfortunately the question is still being asked whether or
not HBCU institutions are needed. The answer is a
competent "YES!" if HBCU's did not exist, they would have
to be created to help sustain and strengthen the family unit of
Blacks in this nation. Black youth that are struggling
academically, but have the desire to earn a higher education
degree can be successful from remedial classes that help
those struggling. Many white institutions do not have these
forms of support. HBCU's continue to lower the achievement
gaps because of the nurturing provided, cultural identification
and even the peer pressure to be successful.



An HBCU president said, "We remediate half our freshman
class but our motto remains 'we take you as you are, but we
don't graduate you as you came.'
Stated by Beverly Daniel Tatum, president of Spelman College,
"HBCUs are the preferred choice for many talented Black
students. College choice is a reflection of identity; a statement
about how you see yourself, who you are now, and who you
hope to become. Students are drawn to environments where
they see themselves reflected in powerful ways, places
where they see themselves as central to the educational enterprise."

Listen to:


Living Education: Re-Defining The Narrative:
The Importance of HBCUs and the Role of Alumni
Supporting HBCU'S
http://forestoftheraineducation.weebly.com/living-education-re-defining-the-narrative-the-importance-of-hbcus-and-the-role-of-alumni.html

Host Dr. Mike Robinson, a Google Hangout discussion on the
importance of HBCUs and the role of graduates with alumnae of HBCUs.
Guests will include:


Kemba Cofield, Kentucky State University
Jazz Vocalist, Jazz Singer, Atlanta Jazz Musician,
Jazz Music Teacher Instructor, Atlanta Vocalist
@kembacofield


William Jackson, South Carolina State University
National Blogger, STEM / STEAM Educator
Bullying / Cyberbullying and Social Media /Speaker
Adjunct Professor with Edward Waters College
@wmjackson

[Wacca Pilatka]

My goodness, I completely missed that St. Paul's is closing and I don't live that far from Lawrenceville.

[Overstreet]

I know a guy that got a scholarship to Florida A and M  cause they needed more white students. The numbers game works both ways.

Certainly you aren't saying that black students have to be taught in secret any more....or.....that they can't learn in mainstream colleges. Maybe the problem is that Black colleges have failed to compete. They aren't attracting enough students of any race. 

[acme54321]

What is your definition of a "white" university?

[tyrsblade]

The narrative shouldn't be about race, it should be about quality education as it is delivered to impoverished peoples of all racial makeups.  The inclusion of race as a factor of targeting at risk people groups furthers the cause of discrimination and stereotypes in our culture.  Post-secondary education is under attack across the board from "for profit" schools, lack-luster curriculum in k-12,  and further endangered by the coming crash in student loan debt.

There are no freed slaves in America, only equal citizens.

[rvrsdediva]

If I had to do it over again I would've gone to an HBCU instead of UF.  They are so important.

[thelakelander]

I'm proud to say that I went to an HBCU. Go FAMU Rattlers! However, segregation has ended, so I agree with tyrsblade's post in general. Our remaining HBCUs will have to compete from an educational perspective moreso than a racial one if they want to survive in the 21st century. Our historical black neighborhoods and commercial districts will have to find their quality of life niche and compete in a similar fashion.  Gone are the days when these institutions and districts survived from the core fact that minorities had no option to go elsewhere.

[williamjackson]

HBCU's are an important part of the higher educational system of this country. The discussion of equality and equal access to educational resources will always be important. Not every institution is for every student and students based on culture, race, gender, lifestyle need to feel comfortable and welcomed where they attend to receive a quality education.
HBCU's have provided resources that other institutions do not, and work in many ways to make sure their students and graduates are successful. I'm a product of South Carolina State University, if not for the nurturing, encouragement, remedial opportunities and family atmosphere I would not have been successful.
I'm an educator of over 20  years, have a Masters in Educational Technology, a blogger, speaker, presenter,
mentor and participate in my community in many ways. It was the foundation laid by my family and the
support from my HBCU that keep and sustained me. This is why I support the works that HBCU's perform.
I'm an example of what GOOD can come from and HBCU when others denied me. I encourage other to earn a degree in their area of passion, but have seen both sides of Black students attend non HBCU schools.
So each has value, but the value is beyond just the name and prestige it goes into what they put into the student and what the encourage out of the student in success.