Is it racist that Howard University is a historically Black college?

Question

Tamera952 · Answer

From a historical, legal, and sociological perspective, no, Howard University being a historically Black university is not racist.  Here is why: 1. The Historical Context Howard University was established in 1867, shortly after the American Civil War, by members of the First Congregational Church of Washington, D. C., with a mission to provide higher education for formerly enslaved people and African Americans who were legally and socially excluded from almost all other American colleges and universities at the time. During the Jim Crow era, segregation laws barred Black students from attending white institutions. HBCUs were created not to exclude other races, but to ensure that Black Americans had any access to higher education. 2. The Definition of Racism In sociological and legal terms, racism involves not just prejudice, but also power dynamics and systemic oppression. Systemic racism involves a dominant group using institutional power to marginalize, oppress, or restrict opportunities for minority groups. HBCUs were created by a marginalized group as a defensive and empowering response against systemic racism and exclusion. They were designed to provide opportunity, not to deny it to others. 3. Current Admissions Policies Unlike the segregated white universities of the past, HBCUs today are not racially exclusive. Howard University and other HBCUs are open to students of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. While Howard's student body is predominantly African American—reflecting its cultural heritage and mission—it routinely enrolls white, Asian, Hispanic, and international students. Furthermore, many historically white institutions (HWIs) have significantly larger endowments, greater political influence, and larger student populations, whereas HBCUs were historically underfunded due to discriminatory government policies.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Possibly, but not necessarily. Based upon your phrasing of the question, ‘no’ is really the only answer because they do at present admit people who are not black. This wasn’t their history, but they aren’t presently racist due to past behavior.
The next question necessarily must be “Do they EVER deny students of any other race in favor of black students of equal or lesser credentials?”.
If the answer to that question is ‘yes’, then they are a racist institution.
That said, anyone who would b*tch about it is just b*tching for b*tching’s sake. There are dozens of colleges and universities in DC and the greater metro area. There are thousands throughout the country. Does Howard offer anything so completely unique that it can’t be found anywhere else? Highly unlikely. Forcing one university to accept students of any other race is no more or less ignorant than forcing a Christian baker to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. Take your money elsewhere and let the market determine if their business model is untenable or not.
It is very leftist to create government institutions to regulate things that we as citizens can control by “voting” with our wallets.

sage2021 · Answer

I realize that your question is about college. However, it brought back memories of my high school days when schools in San Francisco became desecrated around 1971.

Since they closed down the black kids high school and forced them to be bused to other high schools in the city, you can only imagine how that turned out.

My high school got some of the black students and no matter how nice the white kids were to them, it became a hostile environment for the white kids.

When it was all said and done, their experiment backfired. The black kids were happy at their black high school. We were happy at our white high school.

People get along better with their own kind of people. I don't know why no one seems to understand that.

So, I don't consider it racist because it works! Birds of a feather flock together.

Whoever started forcing black and white kids to get along in high school, should have just left things the way they were. All that did was make the black kids hostile when they had to start going to a white school.

And here we are 60 years later still talking about this. Why not let the black people be with other black people around them and keep the harmony among each other?

Masie · Answer

No because they accept white students and therefore cannot be considered racist. So long as the acceptance rate is fairly even across the races then no one could claim racism. There are no public figures on that much like. every other private school that is predominantly white do not give those figures.

This sounds much like a race bait post because why did you not choose and number of the schools in say Wyoming, Montana or Idaho that regularly have less than 1% black students versus white and instead chose a black school that has 10% white students. Would the schools with less than 1% black students be even more racist by your standard the

Perhaps white students simply don't want to attend that school and don't apply. Ever think of that? That is why I said you would have to know the acceptance rate between races to know if they are purposely not diversifying their student population.

If they aren't then I question all the people here I regularly see complaining about diversity and equality being bad saying that thid school not being diversified enough fairly humorous. You can't complain one way but not the other. That is what racism is.

IHaveRespawned · Answer

It is racist if they were to deny admission to a white student or mistreat any other race.

I do find it ironic and double standard, however, if it were reversed and a college or university was deemed a Historically White College. Same concept with BET and other things that are intentionally aimed or recognized for a particular race. You would see uproar and scrutiny for anything white people want to identify with, but if the blacks or other races want to have something of their own, that is "acceptable" for whatever reason. I am sick and tired of the double standards.

AviatorTom · Answer

Basically Yes, but when a college is created to allow blacks to get a higher education, it becomes acceptable. There was a time, not that long ago, where major colleges and universities were segregated, allowing only whites to attend.

By the way, it's not just Howard University (which Kamala Harris attended). There is an organization of historical black colleges and universities, HCBU.

Lliam · Answer

Black colleges were established after the Civil War because none of the other colleges, which were all white, would enroll black students.

So it's not odd that there are traditionally black colleges. In fact, it's great that they managed to survive and thrive. But they are no longer exclusively or blacks. Formerly black colleges and traditionally white colleges no longer reject people based on race.

strateguy632 · Answer

look at the conditions they only let in around 1% whites. "around 1% of total enrollment." they "must respect something" to be: "welcomed on campus provided they respect the distinct history and culture" try making that rule in a white place. by all standard of racism they would freak and condemn only allowing 1% if on condition!

Jersey2 · Answer

502 Freshman were just disinvited as they failed to make payment for this year.

canamlusciouslad73 · Answer

HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) were formed by us blacks when we were banned from all white Southern institutions and many white Northern schools, so no, though I wouldn't attend them because most of the co-eds weigh 200-300 pounds !

ManOnFire · Answer

Oh sure, it was racist for a historically black college to be for black people when all the other ones were racist and didn't want black students.

Anonymous · Answer

please educate yourself. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are colleges and universities in the United States that were founded before 1964 with the primary mission of educating Black Americans, at a time when racial segregation prevented many Black students from attending other colleges. Today, HBCUs welcome students of all races while continuing to celebrate Black history, culture, and achievement.

NaultD · Answer

History isn't in a vacuum.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Well, it was borne out of racism. White racism against black people. Because white colleges discriminated against black students. That's literally the reason why we have HBCUs in the first place.

NathanDavis · Answer

only to racist people... who conveniently decide to ignore the other side of that  history's story...

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

If it was a historically white college what would the answer be?  Yes.

fishbone77 · Answer

I mean if we can just accept that blacks can have black universities and whites can have white universities there's no problem.

Staximus · Answer

Back in the day black people needed a college to go to but now it just seems like separatism

Dargil · Answer

During the Bad Old Days, they had no choice. Anybody can apply, now. Don't know if they do DEI.

Essa1212 · Answer

No. Why is it racist? Whites and all other ethnic groups can enroll there, too.

RareBreedOfMan · Answer

No I don't think it's racist.

FrodoSkywalker007 · Answer

It doesn't matter if they don't discriminate

lilBigPotato · Answer

That's not how racism works.

DirtyOldMan777 · Answer

as long as they are not doin it on purpose.

Pretendingtobesweet · Answer

It’s true

Is it racist that Howard University is a historically Black college?

What Girls & Guys Said

Is the university of Berkeley officially racist this point?

Is it racist that Howard University is a historically Black college?

What Girls & Guys Said

Is the university of Berkeley officially racist this point?

We're glad to see you liked this post.