Black Studies and Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Towards a New Synthesis Alan Colon

Learning Objectives Understand the role of Black Studies within a contemporary political and educational context. Interrogate the role and function of the HBCU Question the role and practicality of education.

A people without self-knowledge is like a tree without roots You are teaching Negroes..and they are the subjects of a caste system in the Republic of he United States of America and their life problem is primary this problem of caste…A Negro university begins with Negroes…it is founded or it should be founded on a knowledge of the history of their people in Africa and the United States and their present condition….W.E.B. Du bois

Miseducation of the Negro The only question which concerns us is whether these educated persons are actually equipped to face the ordeal before them or unconsciously contribute to their own undoing by perpetuating the regime of the oppressor.—Carter G Woodson

Political Context of Education at HBCU De Jure segregation dismantled in the 60s Increasing political representation in the 70s Rise of the middle class in the 80s.

Defining Education Knowledge and skills are taught and learned Those with talents are rewarded with the most critical and specialized knowledge and skills Transition of culture, history and values Enlighten and inform insight

Key Postulates Blacks are underdeveloped due to oppression and exploitation Knowledge is not value free and holds a political agenda Education has historically served to miseducate Black students Black people need a liberatory education

Key Postulates Cont. Assimilation preempts the realization of liberation The mission of Black studies is to reconstruct the teaching, learning, researching and writing of the Black lived experience HBCU is logical and necessary, but under-utilized as agencies for facilitating an education for liberation through Black studies.

Historical Context to the Education of Blacks Education was seen as incompatible with slavery Literacy was made illegal Plessy v. Furgeson assumed a type of equality that did not serve the interests of Blacks Accomodation shaped the educational interests of Blacks through the agency of Booker T. Washingon Assimilation guided the construction of HBCU curriculum

Mission, Purpose, and Organizational Culture Leadership development Promote democratic values Service Social change Transferrable skills (ethics, values and academic remediation) Assimilation into the mainstream culture Consciousness of the problems associated with assimilation

Function HBCU Shaping educationally deprived students and making them academically and intellectually competitive and competent Empower disadvantaged students Laboratory of Black leadership

Black Studies Product of the Black Freedom Struggle Serve as a hub of empowerment for Black students on white campuses By 1971, there were over 500 Black Studies programs, however they were mostly cut by the mid 70s. 50% of Black students attend historically white institutions (by 1978).

Considerations for Restructuring Black studies at the HWI must engage the HBCU There must be adequate funding Curriculum must be in line with the needs of the people Staff must also be adaptive to the needs of the Black community at large Community outreach must be at the core of development There must be a universal evaluation matrix Research must address the needs of the community Coalitions and partnerships must be established Leadership must come from the national level