The Death of the HBCU
- Published in Opinion
- Written by Brandon Johnson
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A little over 20 years ago, I came to Morehouse College. Being from a small town in Oklahoma, the prospect of being able to matriculate at such a powerhouse was amazing. To this day, I STILL love my DEAR OLD MOREHOUSE.
While I need to do a better job at supporting my Historically Black College, I also have the opportunity to talk about HBCU's in general. NOTICE in advance that I said, in general. Sure, there is the old saying that a bad apple can ruin the bunch. But there is also an existing observation that there are more and more bad apples in a smaller bunch.
With that, the majority of HBCU's will die. Only the strong will survive. The majority are on that slow sizzling death. Most of them know, but just are sliding into the abyss slowly but surely.
I was blessed to have a scholarship. But I can remember my fellow Morehouse brothers complaining consistently about issues such as Financial Aid. But even with a "financial" pass, I do remember occasions where food in the cafeteria was "...take it or leave it" or pompous attitudes were given while picking up mail. Was it that the hearts of HBCU staff were so hardened after years of arrogant students never reciprocated respect? Was it that they felt they were underpaid? At the time, I never knew.
Today, as my daughter matriculates South Carolina State, I am constantly reminded of the following:
- Financial Aid Nightmares
- Customer DISservice
- Short-tempered staff
- Staff with an entitlement and with an obligation to turf inquiries to others
- Expectations that we should expect less, or what we get is what we get.
- A general "FU#$%^&*() IT" attitude from most people answering the phone. (Why should I have the feeling that Shaneekqua is sitting on the other line popping her gum and itching to get back to her Facebook and Instagram account?)
Along with criticism and challenge comes opportunity. I thoroughly believe that in the situations where we've escalated through the ranks to get issues resolved, that higher-ranking officials at South Carolina State have been very receptive in fixing issues. We've been called back, emailed, and our issues were generally resolved.
But WHY did it take all of that time and effort to get that far?
HBCU's, generally, are one of the most expensive schools to pick for a student. A lot of them are private and/or are dependant upon a "brand" that throughout the years, has maintained their enrollment. HBCU's seem to also have been the recipients of government and philanthropic financial assistance, which helps to keep the lights on.
I'd be one to hypothesize that MAYBE, the golden years of HBCU's has passed. Let me clarify. I'm talking about the Golden years of prosperity or a sense of well-being where school leadership did not have to worry about how the student and their tuition-paying parents were being treated. I'm referring to the retirement of those school officials who believed that working in Financial Aid could mean nasty treatment of those simply asking for assistance on their bill, and especially those concerned students scared that their grades and time invested will go to waste. I'm referring to the good riddance of pompous attitudes that are often passed down from predecessors who knew no other way but to offer sub-standard service (like the Blacks who attend the school deserve second best). I'm referring to the death of the poor mentalities and treatment of students... the same students who can sign on the dotted line for technical schools, or other opportunities to PAY someone for an education. I'm referring to the obsolescence of sub-standard academic offerings, where degree offerings fall off of the map after a student has declared and put in work. I'm talking about the overly-confident, self-defending arrogance from schools barely making accreditation, and of those who put more time into considering what Homecoming will be like this year, instead of what Homecoming COULD be for future students.
HBCU's. Grow up or die.
Consider the opportunity that you have to make a difference in these students' lives. Or simply retire from the position of being a stagnant scrooge, who will eventually be sucked up by a new world that education will grow and evolve to become.
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Zenón is a multiple Grammy Nominee and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, as well as gracing the cover of Downbeat Magazine. He has also topped the Rising Star Alto Sax category of the Downbeat Critic's Poll on four different occasions. As a composer he has been commissioned by SFJAZZ, The New York State Council for the Arts, Chamber Music America, The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, and many of his peers. Zenón has given hundreds of lectures and master classes at institutions all over the world, and is a permanent faculty member at New England Conservatory of Music. In 2008 he received a fellowship from the prestigious Guggenheim Foundation and later that year he was one of 25 distinguished individuals chosen to receive the coveted MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant.” In 2011 he founded Caravana Cultural, a program which presents free Jazz concerts in rural areas of Puerto Rico. For more information about Miguel visit: www.miguelzenon.com
As the percussionist, Broderick Santiago is the rhythmic foundation of Río Negro. He’s also the bandleader. His family is originally from Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, but Santiago grew up in New York. A seasoned percussionist, he has shared the stage with great musicians including Giovanni Hidalgo, Myra Casales, Patato Valdés, Jimmy Delgado, Jonathan Butler, and others. As a music educator and a dance instructor, Santiago strives to educate people about the African roots prevalent in Latin music. Most recently, Santiago performed on the soundtrack to the HBO hit movie, Lackawanna Blues.
