Page 4 The Portland Observer July 11, 1990
HERS OPINION his
Should Blacks Attend a ’’Black” College or a ’’White” College?
by Vickie Hughes
Howard University, Spelnian College,
Jackson State University, Morehouse
C o lle g e,
F lorida
APM
University...Stanford University, Dart­
mouth College, Harvard Universtiy, Uni­
versity of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas
A&M University...
Spelman College, founded in
1881 has for over a century produced
several of the world’s leading profes­
sional African American women. I am
proud to say that I am a product of that
college; a Spelman College graduate
we attend a Black college if we are to
communicate with all races in the world
today. As we grow older, we find that
we must know and understand all people
if we are to survive in today’s society.
If we grew up around mainly whites, we
must broaden our scope of associates.
We are African Americans and we must
be able to identify with our own people.
The working world not only consists of
Caucasians, but also African Ameri­
cans, Hispanics, Asians, etc. Society
consists of a melung pot of individuals.
For those of us who were raised
'What a good feeling it was to be a part of so many proud,
progressive African American women...Why not be a part
of the Black colleges we support? Where else can we learn
to identify with our people? Where else can we obtain a
quality of education among our own people?"
(Class of 1985). A few months ago I
traveled to Atlanta for my five-year
class reunion. What a good feeling it
was to be a part of so many proud, pro­
gressive African American women. We
have all ventured to parts all over the
country and the world. We have branched
out to work in many different fields. I
am surrounded by Spelman College
graduates who have become account­
ants, managers, government officials,
doctors, teachers, bankers, and law­
yers. These individuals are my Spel­
man Sisters. We are one which is
evident as we all hold hands, smile, and
sing our Spelman hymn which starts
out with “ Spelman, thy name we
praise...”
Although I have found that we
as African Americans can learn at any
college we attend, black or white, many
of us support Black colleges financially
and socially. Why not be a part of the
Black colleges we support? Where else
can we learn to identify with our people?
Where else can we obtain a quality of
education among our own people?
For those of us who were edu­
cated at white schools as adolescents, it
is essential and almost mandatory that
$ & J ’a
Beauty &
Barber Supplies
and educated in Black communities, it
may be a good idea to attend a * ‘white’ ’
college to experience the best of both
worlds. And they are indeed two totally
different worlds. It is for this reason
that I strongly promote Black Colleges.
Black colleges are generally
smaller in number than predominantly
white colleges. This fact provides us
with an advantage and a great opportu­
nity. At Black colleges we are shown
individual attention. We are known by
name rather than Social Security num­
ber as is true at several large white
institutions. We are encouraged to suc­
ceed, taught to have a sense of pride,
and shown that we not the underdogs of
society as many whites believe. At
Black colleges we are taught our his­
tory.
In Spike Lee’s movie, “ School
Daze” , which depicts the Black col­
lege experience, he tells us to Wake
Up! I can identify with several issues
raised up in that movie. I agree with the
message that Spike Lee was trying to
get across to us. Wake up! Open your
eyes and see what is going on around
you.
*
by Ulysses Tucker, Jr.
It disturbs me to hear many
As a high school student in
African Americans put down Black
Washington, D.C., I did not have a very
colleges. Many of these people have
healthy respect for Black colleges.
never been to one. How can you speak
College (in my mind) is supposed to
poorly of something you know little
enhance one’s perspective, promote
about? Many perceptions that people
intellectual growth, and build charac­
have stem from lack of experience. A
ter. I watched graduating classes be­
select few put down Black colleges
fore me (including my class, 1975)
who have actually attended one. How
matriculate at schools like Jackson State,
can you put down a school that you
Florida A&M, Morgan State, North
chose yourself? Take pride in the school
Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T,
you chose.
Delaware State, Mississippi Valley, Clark
The quality of education at
College, and Virginia State come back
Black schools is just as good as the
home the same culturally isolated stu­
quality of education at white schools.
dents they were in high school. I heard
Sometimes the quality of education is
more about parties, women, and frater-
even better than the one that you would
mities/sororities than I did about grades
get at a white college. An African
or math/sciences. This really disturbed
American graduate from Howard Uni­
me.
versity has the same chance to get a
On the other hand, living nine
good job as the African American gradu­
blocks from Howard Universtiy did not
ate from Harvard University. There are
help my attitude much either. 1 can re­
statistics that prove this fact Several
member vividly, during the 1968 riots,
Black Colleges arc known and respected
locals beating up Howard students
among whites as well as Blacks. For­
because they were perceived as the
tune 500 companies recruit at Black
“ haves” in a city of “ have nots” .
colleges. If you are highly educated
Howard was the school of the Black
and present yourself well in an inter­
elite or middle class, who did not ac­
view, it does not matter which college
tively start recruiting inner city Blacks
is listed on your resume.
until its athletic programs started to
Many individuals have formed
decline. Washington, D.C. had long
negative stereotypes about Black col­
been established as an excellent re­
leges and those who attend them. It is
cruiting ground for talented high school
believed that Blacks at Black colleges
prospects. 1 did all the things on How­
socialize all the time and do not study
ard’s campus that regular students did
and that these Blacks attend Black col­
as a high schooler in terms of dating
leges because they were rejected when
women and partying. No one knew the
they applied at white colleges. Many .« •
.
.
.
1 difference. I was also asked to try out
Blacks who attended Black colleges
,
,
/ . .,
f .. . . . . 6
for the basketball team because I held
were in the top fourth of their classes
my own against much older players.
from suburban, private, and urban high
. . .
. , .. .
,
, . Even on recruiting trips to other Black
schools. I graduated in the top fourth of
. ..
.
,.
. . . . .
,
. colleges, I noticed the same trend and it
my high school graduating class. I
was after a few visits that I wanted no
could have chosen any white college to
part of the lifestyle.
attend for my undergraduate studies;
Algernon Tucker, Jr. (no rela­
however, Spelman college was my first
tion), a neighbor and god-father type at
choice. My choice became reality and
home, reinforced what I had learned
1 have never regretted my choice.
about Black colleges by telling me to
Instead of insulting Black col­
go where there was no competition,
leges, let’s promote them. Keep Black
that’s with other Black students for
colleges in existence. Black colleges
scholarships. Tucker attended Hamp­
are our very own institutions.
ton Institute in the early sixties and in
many ways, wished he had done things
a little differently. He helped me to
make some choices that I do not regret
today and it is my wish that all students
carefully analyzed their individual needs
before selecting a college. The one
piece of advice that stands out the most
from this encounter is how to get money
or scholarships.
For example, let’s say that the
Ford Foundation decides to donate
$50,000 to the U. o f Maine and to Fisk
University for scholarships. ! schol­
arships will be designated lot minori­
ties in the health and education majors
only. Chances are, I would not get
much money at Fisk since the majorit
teem. I did not need that from a college
because I had self-esteem, cultural iden­
tity, and family members to support
me. All I wanted was the best educa­
tion I could get and exposure to life­
styles outside my urban-ghetto habitat.
I did not see Black colleges doing that
for me.
Eight years ago, a white (at a
party) CEO from a major corporation
told me that I was a ‘ ‘good hire” for any
company because I attended white in­
stitutions and having three degrees
suggests that I can cope with the “ white
"Those attending white schools and were able to cope with
the cultural isolation associated with those environments,
are doing very well for major corporations and do not
regret the experience because it taught them a perspective
outside of what was natural to them."
of students are minorities. At the U. of
Maine, my chances of recieving a schol­
arship are much greater than at Fisk
because ther are less minorities com ­
peting for the dollars. When I look at
my classmates today, who graduated
from Black colleges, many beleived
that they did not gel the education they
deserved and spent loo much time
“ playing” . Some did well at Black
colleges, too. Those attending white
schools and were able to cope with the
cultural isolation associated with those
environments, are doing very well for
major corporations and do not regret
the experience because it taught them a
perspective outside of what was natural
to them. By no means am I implying
that a person cannot get a solid educa­
tion at a Black college. An individual
cna leant at any institution, but there
are more social distractions at Black
colleges.
Granted, at one point in his­
tory, Black colleges were the only places
Black students could fulfill their dreams
andcareeraspirations. I ’m not opposed
to Black colleges. I’m opposed to stu
dents limiting their options and over­
looking potential opportunities. It has
been noted by some Black college gradu­
ates that Black colleges were more
sensitive to their cultural needs, sup­
portive, and helped to build self-cs-
man’s ” system. What he implied was
that most corporations would prefer not
to hire Black college graduates because
their experiences are basically Black,
especially if they attended a Black high
school in urban American. He went on
to elaborate how “ white people” run
the country, so in effect, Black people
need to learn what the “ white m an”
knows in order to comprehend “ his
system ” , I was shocked-not at what he
told me, because I knew it already—but
with his frankness and honesty. The
same cultural isolation that exists in
corporate Americaexistson white cam-
puses all over the United States. Some
Blacks cannot cope with this and attend
Black colleges as a result. Those that
can cope are usually very successful.
Also, there are some very successful
Black college graduatess.
In short, attending college is
not a Black or white issue, it’s a green
one. Green meaning the color of money
and scholarships. It’s about going where
you need to go in order to secure a
decent job, not where you want to go
and the same principle applies to col­
lege. 1 never paid a dime to attend
undergraduate or graduate school. It
was free via athletic scholarships, grants,
and fellowships, but there were not
many of us (Blacks) around. Go where
the money is...
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Portland, OR 97217
Peggy Sumner
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(503) 289-0205
African American Publication Awarded
FOR BEST NEWS STORY! Sam Hall, right, Manager Community Programs,
Pepsi-Cola Company and Rita Griffin, Senior Managing Editor, "The Michigan
Chronicle, " admire award presented by the National Newspaper Publishers
Association (NNPA) for a story written by Chronicle staff reporter, Michael
Wimberly. The award was presented during the recent 50th Annual Convention
o f the NNPA at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. Wimberly's story about questionable
practices involved in selling large, white-owned properties to blacks was in
competition with scores o f original pieces from reporters on many o f the 200
African American newspapers represented by the NNPA. The awards for the
first, second and third place winners o f the best News Story category were
underwritten by Pepsi-Cola as was the full-service press room for the three-
day Convention. The second place winner in this category was Michael
Patterson o f the "Frost Illustrated"pf Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Micaele O' Neal o f
"Big Red News, "Brooklyn, N. Y„ took third place honors. The competitions are
aim ed at the continued overall improvement and professionalism o f African
American publications.
' * O v. •
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■ A , . » ' » - ». -
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ANNOUNCED
CO-CHAIRS
APPOINTED
Representatives from all walks of
life, from all over Oregon will be ap­
pointed to an advisory committee an­
nounced today by gubernatorial candi­
date Dave Frohnmayer.
Named by Frohnmayer to be co-chairs
of the advisory committee are grassroots
timber activist Valerie Johnson, Uma­
tilla County Commissioner Bill Hansell,
Jackson County Sheriff C. W.Smith, and
Woodburn Children’s Center Director
Tony Fernandez.
Frohnmayer said, “ The purpose of
the advisory committee is to provide a
forum for concerned citizens, grassroots
activists and community leaders who
support my candidacy for governor to
come together to discuss important is­
sues facing the State of Oregon.” He
continued, “ As I have traveled the state
campaigning during the past eight months,
I have been encouraged by the wealth of
fresh ideas presented to me. This com­
mittee will bring many of those ideas
together at one forum for broad-based,
wide-ranging discussion and refinement.”
Frohnmayer says, “ Members of the
Frohnmayer Advisory Committee will
be active, involved people who have a
strong interest in the future of their neigh­
borhoods, their cities and their slate.”
Members of the advisory committee will
meet several times between now and the
general election. Frohnmayer says,
“ These meetings will provide an oppor­
tunity for an open exchange of ideas on
the many challenges facing the state.
W e’ll be ready to hit the ground running
when my administration takes office in
January.”
Frohnmayer has campaigned across
Oregon on a theme of building bridges
between diverse groups and phili
s.
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