Historically Black Colleges

and Universities (HBCUs)

 The image shows the HBCU of Norfolk State
University in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Table of Contents

1. Preface
Juneteenth is a federal holiday that has been celebrated by
African Americans for over 150 years. It originally occurred on 2. The Value of Education
June 19, 1865, when Major Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom
for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth is part of our
black culture and American culture. President Joe Biden signed 3. Early HBCU History
the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law making
Juneteenth an of cial federal holiday. Back in the day, the
Juneteenth celebrations happened in churches, parades, 4. Its Role in Cultural and
cookouts, rodeos, Miss Juneteenth contests, and other festivals.
Juneteenth is also celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Social Change
Black Seminoles who escaped from slavery in 1852 and settled
in Coahuila, Mexico. Celebratory traditions often include public
readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional 5. Issues and Triumphs
songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Lift Every Voice
and Sing", and the reading of works by noted African American
writers, such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou. 6. Howard University’s
Historic Protest

7. HBCU’s Continued to
Link to Blackness

Opal Lee (who is 96 years old) is the Godmother

of the Juneteenth movement who helped make
Juneteenth a federal holiday. For decades, she has
fought for civil rights. Lee became involved in Fort
Worth community causes. Lee helped found the
Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical
Society, alongside civil rights activist Lenora Rolla.
Lee was named the 2021 "Texan of the Year" by
The Dallas Morning News for her activism on
behalf of Black Texans. She was also included in
the 2021 book Unsung Heroes for operating a food
bank, farm, and community garden throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Glory has always been included in HBCUs. They represent so many things to tons of human
beings. For almost two centuries in America, these institutions of higher learning have grown
our souls in enumerable ways. They represent cultural excellence in full display concretely.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are always a massive part of black culture. In
America, black Americans, and black people from across the world have been educated in
them to be the best at what they are born to be. Many of the greatest black heroes in human
history were educated in HBCUs too. Chadwick Boseman was educated in an HBCU along
with Keshia Knight Pulliam, Spike Lee, Taraji P. Henson, David Banner, etc. Toni Braxton
went to Bowie State University, Yolanda Adams went to Texas Southern University, Michael
Strahan was part of Texas Southern University, and Debbie Allen graduated from Howard
University. Tons of my relatives have gone to HBCUs and graduated from them. I'm from
Virginia, so you already know that HBCUs are always part of our culture and existence. The
camaraderie among black students, the systems of education, and the art of learning is all on
full display in those universities. Those locations represent a large part of the black freedom
struggle as scholars, doctors, STEM experts, athletes, teachers, judges, social activists, and
other contributors to society have been graduates of HBCUs. HBCUs help to give
confidence to human beings, they help to inspire hope for the future, and they make us
aware of the value of Blackness. We know that there is not a solitary way to be Black.
Blackness represents total diversity in all its multifaceted manifestations. This work is
dedicated to black people and anyone (of any color and background) who desire peace,
justice, and liberation for black people including the rest of humanity. Blackness is priceless,
it is Beautiful, and our black identities are always sacrosanct.
 The Value of Education
The common misconception is that education doesn't matter, or it only involves a 4-year
college. The truth is that education is very diverse, and education is always important in the
Universe. True educational institutes can include a graduate college, a community college,
trade schools, a 4 year college, an IT school, and other institutions allowing human beings
to experience their own form of liberty and happiness. Education will always be important
forever, because education gives human beings tools to be doctors, lawyers, scholars,
teachers, athletes, musicians, and other legitimate participants in society. Education is about
learning concepts, applying concepts in everyday life, and analyzing themes to creatively
develop your own style. As Albert Einstein and others have said, you learn so you can teach
people what you know in easy-to-understand terms. Doing that makes a great difference in
helping humanity grow intellectually and socially. Education is beyond just random
memorization of definitions or words. It is about analyzing what you know and learning new
concepts efficiently, so you can build on established definitions to realize the bigger picture.
The big picture is that we have this right to justice and independence (physically, mentally,
spiritually, and emotionally), and the establishment has a long history of trying to suppress
human rights. Therefore, we should do our part to not only expand human rights. We must
make sure that real education is found among the masses of the people collectively.
Part of this education is about promoting the beauty of Blackness, loving diversity, and
realizing that our intrinsic value is priceless. There is nothing wrong with being born with
what we are. There is something wrong with the imperfections and the evils in society that
ought to be rectified. Education has been part of the human cultural tradition for thousands
of years. True education always deals with the basics of math, language, technology, science,
art, athletics, and growing positive economic including social connections among the human
race. That is why scientific studies always document how reading, developing intellectual
curiosity, developing social, emotional connections with people, exercise, healthy eating, and
adequate sleep will increase human life longevity with a quality life. Reading, writing, and
studying STEM is very important for youth and anyone of any age. According to the U.S.
Department of Education, HBCUs provided undergraduate training for 75% of Black
Americans holding a doctorate degree, 75% of all Black Officers in the armed forces, and
80% of all Black federal judges. Some of our greatest leaders in human history have either
been educated in universities, educated by family and friends, or educated by being self-
taught. Historically Black Colleges and Universities have certainly been on the forefront in
allowing tons of black people to reach their goals to change the world for the better. The
value of education truly is always unimpeachable.
 Early HBCU History
To start with, in the beginning, the roots of Historically Black Colleges came from the
Motherland of Africa. The origin of the human race is in Africa, so the motivation of
educational excellence originated from Africa indeed. Later, our ancestors lived in America
via the Maafa. We suffered unspeakable atrocities, but those evils never stopped our spirits.
Before the American Civil War, many HBCUs were in existence across America. Back then,
black slaves were forbidden to read and write. The reason is that racists didn't want black
people to rise to end the tyranny of slavery. Yet, many black people in bondage did read and
write. Many early HBCUs were established like Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1837,
the University of the District of Columbia (then known as the Miner School for Colored
Girls in 1851), and Lincoln University in 1854. The Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
was formed by the Quaker Richard Humphreys as the oldest HBCU of higher education in
America. One famous alumna was the educator and civil rights activist Josephine Silone
Yates. Josephine Silone Yates was one of the greatest scholars in history. She lived from 1852
or 1859 to 1912. Yates worked as a professor, writer, public speaker, and activist in the
United States of America. She may have been the first black woman to hold a full
professorship at any U.S. college or university. Professor Yates was one of the first black
professors hired at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. She loved her 2 children
she married William Ward Yates. Their children are Josephine Silone Yates Jr. and William
Blyden Yates). She was so great that she was the 2nd President of the National Association
of Colored Women (1900-1904). Professor Josephine Yates had excellent mathematical and
writing abilities.
We know about the famous Wilberforce University. It was formed in 1856 via a
collaboration between the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Ohio and the mostly
white Methodist Episcopal Church. Wilberforce University was owned and operated by
African Americans. In 1862, the Lemoyne-Owen College was formed in Memphis by the
United Church of Christ. In 1864, Wayland Seminary was formed, and it merged with
Richmond Institute to become Virginia Union University. In fact, most HBCUs were
started by free black Americans and philanthropists (funded by religious groups like the
American Missionary Association and the African Methodist Episcopal Church). Exactly 5
months after the end of the Civil War, Atlanta University, now Clark Atlanta University,
was founded on September 19, 1865, as the first Historically Black College in the Southern
United States of America. Atlanta University was the first graduate institution to award
degrees to African Americans in the nation and the first to award bachelor's degrees to
African Americans in the South. Clark College in 1869 was the nation's first four-year liberal
arts college to serve African American students. The two universities consolidated in 1988
to form Clark Atlanta University. Shaw University was founded on December 1, 1865, and
it was the 2nd HBCU to be established in the South. The year 1865 also saw the foundation
of Stoner College (1865-1955) in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Storer's former campus and
building have been incorporated into Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. During the
early era of the HBCUs, they educated the children of formerly enslaved people and taught
other Black Americans.
 The film
of

BOB
MARLEY:
ONE
LOVE Bob Marley was an icon, revolutionary, musician, social
activist, and a lover of Africa. He was a man who was for the
(Coming in 2024) people.

CNN is about to release its documentary called "See It Loud: The History of Black Television"
that details the history of Black Television. LeBron James and Maverick Carter are the executive
producers of this documentary. As black people, we are the story. We make the world go round
with our beauty, our swagger, our intellects, and our souls. Therefore, shows from A Different
World to Sanford and Son relate to our experiences as black people. Also, black television has a
global influence, and human beings of every color love black television. Tons of people in the
globe love our black humanity. Our validation doesn’t come from others, but it comes from
within ourselves, from the Most High, and from our birth. From Oscar Micheaux and Moms
Mabley to the new school generation of legends like the late Chadwick Boseman and Issa Rae
including Sonequa Martin-Green, we have this continuity of creativity that is awe inspiring. Every
demographic of the human race came from us, as we are the origin of all in the human family.
So, we know we must deal with wild things in the world, but we have that hope and inspiration
to see another day. Seeing another day is what our ancestors desire for us. We have been blessed
to witness our time, and the future grows.
In 1862, the federal government's Morrill Act provided for land grant colleges in each state.
Some educational institutions established under the Morrill Act in the North and West were
open to black human beings. Yet, 17 states, almost all in the South, required their post-Civil
War systems to be segregated and excluded black students from their land grant colleges. In
response, Congress passed the second Morrill Act of 1890. This was known as the
Agricultural College Act of 1890, requiring states to establish a separate land grant college
for black people if black people were excluded from the existing land grant college. Many of
the HBCUs were founded by states to satisfy the Second Morrill Act. These land grants
schools continue to receive annual federal funding for their research, extension, and
outreach activities. In 1866, Edward Waters College was built in Jacksonville, Florida by the
AME Church. Fisk University was founded in the same year in Nashville, Tennessee. The
Fisk Jubilee Singers toured to raise money for the institution. In 1866, Lincoln Institute was
formed in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi was
opened (One of its most famous alumnae was Ida B. Wells). Hampton University was
founded in 1868 in Virginia, and it was once called Hampton Normal and Agricultural
Institute. Booker T. Washington graduated from Hampton University, and he formed the
Tuskegee Institute later on.
By the early 20th century, we saw many black colleges and universities promoting athletics
among black people. Sports were rapidly growing in state universities, but very few black stars
were recruited there. There were newspapers that praised athletic successes. Black schools
hired coaches, recruited and featured stellar athletes. Leagues were formed too. In 1935,
Norfolk State University was created. It was originally called the Norfolk Unit of Virginia
State University. Later, Norfolk State University would grow as the prominent independent
HBCU of the Hampton Roads region along with Hampton University. By the 1930's, many
Jewish intellectuals fled Europe after the rise of Hitler and anti-Jewish legislation in prewar
Nazi Germany. Many of them found work teaching in historically black colleges. By 1933, it
was a hard year for many Jewish academics who wanted to escape oppressive Nazi policies.
The Nazis in Germany banned them of their positions in universities. Jewish people couldn't
find work in other European countries because of the Spanish Civil War and antisemitism
in general in Europe. In America, they continued their academic careers. They found little
success in mostly white universities because of the antisemitism. So, we black people are a
loving people. Therefore, more than 2/3s of the faculty hired them at many HBCUs from
1933 to 1945. HBCUs wanted Jewish professors to have the opportunity to show their skills
in education. HBCUs always believe in diversity and giving folks opportunities no matter
the race, religion, or country of origin. Giving people like women and black people open
spaces to study is always important. HBCUs made substantial contributions to the U.S. war
effort during WWII. For example, the Tuskegee University in Alabama was where the
Tuskegee Airmen trained and attended classes.
 Its Role in Cultural and
Social Change
After World War II, massive changes came into HBCUs with the modern-day Civil Rights
Movement growing worldwide. In 1947, the Denmark Technical College opened as the
Denmark Area Trade School. The Trenholm State Technical College was formed in the
same year at Montgomery, Alabama, as John M. Patterson Technical School. In 1948, the
Church of Christ started operating the Southern Bible Institute. Today, the school is known
as Southwestern Christian College. Lawson State Community College opened in Bessemer,
Alabama in 1949. The Mississippi Vocational College was opened in Itta Ben in 1950. By
1958, the Interdenominational Theological Centered opened in Atlanta. Southern
University at New Orleans was founded as a unit of Southern University in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana by 1959. In 1961, J. F. Drake State Technical College opened in Huntsville,
Alabama as the Huntsville State Vocational Technical School. In 1962, The College of the
Virgin Islands opened with campuses on St. Croix and St. Thomas. The school is currently
known as the University of Virgin Islands. In 1965, the federal government via the U.S.
Department of Education were designed officially. In 1967, the Southern University at
Shreveport was founded. In 1975, the Morehouse School of Medicine opened in Atlanta.
The medical school was originally part of Morehouse College.

During the old school Civil Rights Movement era (1954-1968), nearly all Black college
students were enrolled at HBCUs. The late Congressman John Lewis was a graduate of Fisk
University. Lewis was born in Troy, Alabama. Later, he met Rosa Parks when he was 17 and
Dr King when he was 18 years old. The opening of the March on Washington in 1963 of
 the National Anthem was done by Virginia State University graduate Camilla Williams. The
closing benediction was delivered by former Morehouse College President and Virginia
Union University attendee Benjamin Mays. The heroic Gloria Richardson graduated from
Howard University. Floyd McKissick went into Morehouse College, Whitney Young Jr. came
into Kentucky State University, and the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement Septima Clark
was a graduate of Benedict College and Hampton University. Bayard Rustin was part of
Wilberforce and Cheyney Universities. Tons of people know that Jesse Jackson graduated
from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. The Civil Rights Movement is
made up of collective community of women, men, and children working together to fight
for justice. From many HBCU leaders meeting with Kwame Nkrumah to fighting for Black
Power, HBCUs have always been involved in the black freedom struggle. Spelman had many
leaders involved in civil rights too. Spelman students worked in the Crossroads Africa
Program in 1960.

The image below shows the historic HBCU of Hampton University.

Recently, the Supreme Court unjustly banned af rmative action in college admissions. We knew that this decision was coming.
Brazil has af rmative action, but America doesn't involve educational services in colleges. The Court banned considering race
as a factor in determining who can go into college. This decision is wrong, because racism is still in existence today, and race
being a factor is about gaining people with diverse experiences, not some quota system. Af rmative action has nothing to do
with quotas. It has to do with bring people of diverse colors and backgrounds (with high quali cations) the opportunities to
live their best lives in college and other economic situations. Therefore, we must deal with this evil decision for generations to
come. Colleges and universities will adjust and possibly bring up race neutral quali cations (which has been unsuccessful in
diversifying universities). The reality is that we don't live in a total meritocracy in American society. The hypocrisy of the
decision is that the conservative Justices claim to want colorblindness, but the decision said that the experiences of a racial
minority via a letter can be influential in judging an admission process. Justice Jackson is right to say that America has never
been colorblind. The Constitution has never been colorblind as once the Constitution once considered people like me 3/5
humans. Justice Roberts made the point that you can a write a letter how racial issues inspired you to achieve things which is
disingenuous. The Supreme Court didn't eliminate athletics, legacies, etc. as part of factors in determining admissions. Also,
the hypocrisy of the decision is that it doesn't ban af rmative action in the military but in college admissions. The fact is that
racial discrimination exists, and interventions are necessary to eliminate structural oppression (after multiple generations of
slavery and other forms of racist tyranny against black people in America).
In that same year, Atlanta University Center students drafted, "An Appeal for Human
Rights" that was published in the Atlanta Constitution and other national newspapers on
March 9. Going into the 1960s, the Spelman College students became involved in civil rights
actions in Atlanta. In 1962, the first Spelman students were arrested for participating in sit-
ins in the Atlanta community. Noted American historian Howard Zinn was a professor of
history at Spelman during this era and served as an adviser to the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee chapter at the college. Zinn mentored many of Spelman's students
fighting for civil rights at the time, including Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelman
Zinn was dismissed from the college in 1963 for supporting Spelman students in their efforts
to fight segregation; at the time, Spelman was focused on turning out "refined young ladies”
(we know those quotes are all about promoting respectability politics and sexist nonsense,
but many people back in the 1960’s unfortunately believed in that nonsense). Edelman
herself writes that Spelman had a reputation as "a tea-pouring, very strict school designed to
turn black girls into refined ladies and teachers." That would change. Now, Spelman
continues to represent some of the greatest black students in the world. Stewart retired in
1986, and the following year, Johnnetta Betsch Cole became the first Black female president
of Spelman College. During this time, the college became noted for its commitment to
community service and its ties to the local community. Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson was
educated at Spelman, and she was one of the greatest leaders of SNCC. She passed away in
1967 because of cancer.

Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson was well respected by her SNCC colleagues and others within
the movement for her work ethic and dedication to those around her. SNCC Freedom
Singer Matthew Jones recalled, "You could feel her power in SNCC on a daily basis." Jack
Minnis, director of SNCC's opposition research unit, insisted that people could not fool her.
Over the course of her life, she served 100 days in prison for the movement. Kwame Ture
said that Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson was a tower of strength. By 1969, Black Studies
program came into Spelman University. The Black Studies movement spread across tons of
HBCUs too including Howard University. Kwame True graduated from Howard University
too. Unsung Civil Rights leaders from Louisiana graduated from HBCUs like Dorothy Mae
DeLavallander Taylor (from Baton Rouge's Southern University and A&M College),
Alexander Pierre Tureaud Sr. (Howard University Law School), Rudy Lombard (Xavier
University), Jerome Smith (Southern University in New Orleans), Oretha Castle Haley
including Doris Jean Castle (Southern University in New Orleans), Cecil Winston Carter Jr.
(Dillard University), and David J. Dennis (Dillard University).

The highest enrollment numbers of HBCUs (in the 2020-

2021 year)

21,431

14,121
11,633
10,303 10,221
9,000 8,749

ST. PHILIP'S NORTH HOWARD PRAIRIE VIEW FLORIDA NORTH SOUTH

COLLEGE CAROLINA A&T UNIVERSITY A&M AGRICULTRUAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
STATE UNIVERSITY AND CENTRAL AND A&M
UNIVERSITY MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY

The highest enrollment numbers of HBCUs (in the 2020-2021 year)

 Geniuses always graduate from
Historically Black College and
Universi es. The intellectually
gi ed author Isabel Wilkerson was
born in Washington, D.C. in 1961.
For years and decades, she has
been an author and journalist who
has inves gated not only racism but
the mul faceted nature of
oppression in general. She loves to
record the long journey of the
This photo showed Isabel Wilkerson at African American experience for us
the 2010 Texas Book Festival. She is the (the people) to gain insights on the
first African American woman to win black experience and enact policies
the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1994 to address the overt reali es of
(when she was the Chicago Bureau structural racial and economic
Chief of the New York Times). oppression. She graduated from
Howard University studying
journalism. Her father was one of
the Tuskegee Airmen during World
War II and became a bridge
engineer a er WWII. Her
nonfic onal works are so influen al
and inspira onal that Ava DuVernay
desires to write, direct, and
produce a feature film adapta on
of Wilkerson’s book of Caste (as
Ne lix talked about this on October
14, 2020).

“You must leave

this world a better
In 2010, Isabel Wilkerson released her book of “The Warmth place than it would
of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration.” have been if you
This work is about tracking the complex journey of the
had not existed.”
African American Great Migration. Her recent 2020 book of
“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” is about how racism
in America is like a caste system. She compares the -Isabel Wilkerson.
experiences of American people of color to the caste systems
of India and Nazi Germany. She explores the impact of caste
on societies shaped by them, and their people.
 Issues and Triumphs
Since 1965, massive changes have existed in HBCUs. There was the reauthorization of the
Higher Education Act of 1965. It made a program to direct federal grants to HBCU and to
support their academic, financial, and administrative capabilities. Part B was made for
formula-based grants, calculated based on each institutions' Pell Grant eligible enrollment,
graduation rate, and percentage of graduates who continue post-baccalaureate education in
fields where African Americans are underrepresented. Some colleges with a predominantly
black student body are not classified as HBCUs because they were founded (or opened their
doors to African Americans) after the implementation of the Sweatt v. Painter (1950) and
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court (the court decisions
which outlawed racial segregation of public education facilities) and the Higher Education
Act of 1965. In 1980, Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to distribute adequate
resources and funds to strengthen the nation's public and private HBCUs. His executive
order created the White House Initiative on historically black colleges and universities
(WHIHBCU), which is a federally funded program that operates within the U.S.
Department of Education. In 1989, George H. W. Bush continued Carter's pioneering spirit
by signing Executive Order 12677, which created the presidential advisory board on HBCUs,
to counsel the government and the secretary on the future development of these
organizations.

Starting in 2001, directors of libraries of several HBCUs began discussions about ways to
pool their resources and work collaboratively. In 2003, this partnership was formalized as
the HBCU Library Alliance, "a consortium that supports the collaboration of information
professionals dedicated to providing an array of resources designed to strengthen historically
black colleges and Universities and their constituents." In 2015, the Bipartisan
Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus was established
by U.S. Representatives Alma S. Adams and Bradley Byrne. The caucus advocates for
HBCUs on Capitol Hill. As of September 2019, there are 94 elected politicians who are
members of the caucus. In January and February 2022, several HBCUs received bomb threats
which disrupted academic operations. At least 18 were threatened on January 31 or February
1. At least 8 were threatened on January 4 or 5, 2022. Some reported callers to 911 identified
themselves as a "neo-Nazi." In response, the FBI launched a hate crime investigation. Now,
Alabama has the most active HBCUs with 12 universities. Because of desegregation, rising
incomes, and increased access to financial aid, the share of black students attending HBCUs
have dropped from 17 percent in 1980 to 9 percent in 2015. A large percentage of black
people with bachelor’s and master’s degrees are awarded at HBCUs. The number of total
students enrolled at HBCUs rose by 32 percent from 1976 to 2015 being from 223,000 to
293,000. HBCUs have been more diverse over time as America is changing to be more
diverse. HBCUs have black people, white people, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific
Islanders, Hispanic people, and other human beings. Non-black people make up 22 percent
of total enrollment at HBCUs. HBCUs help to improve the economy in many ways.
Vice President Kamala Harris (who graduated from the great HBCU of Howard University
herself) gave a very important speech to HBCU graduates at Tennessee State University in
May 2022. Her following words shows the essence of what real HBCU education is all
about:

"...Your time at Tennessee State has unlocked unimaginable opportunities for

your future, because you see, HBCUs like this — well, they are cathedrals of
education. And the value of this education is that it teaches you something
very special: That, yes, you can be anything and do anything. And this brings
me to the third reason why I know that you will play an essential role in shaping
our nation’s future. Each of you has your own story, your own way of looking
at the world, shaped by every moment that brought you to this point.

I was around your age when I decided that I wanted to take on systemic
problems from the inside of the system, that I would look for solutions through
the lens of my own experience and perspectives, and that I wanted and needed
to be in the rooms where the decisions were being made. Graduates, you stand
on the brink of a new frontier where we are building the platforms for the next
phase of technology, where we are conducting the research that will lead to the
next great medical breakthrough — maybe even the cures for cancer or lupus or
lifesaving reforms to maternal healthcare — where we are defining the
fundamental principles that will underpin the 21st century. And we need you
in the room helping to make these decisions..."
 A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE 1619 PROJECT
I dedicate these words to the black ancestors who suffered a lot and sacrificed for our lives today in 2023. The
following words are my official views on the 1619 Project fully. The debate about the New York Times' 1619 Project
continues. The creator of the project is Sister Nikole Hannah-Jones. I disregard the conservatives' critique of the
project, because many of them believe in the myth that the Framers were saints, black people never suffered a
specific form of slavery and racism, and that any progressive analysis of history should be ignored. The criticism
getting attention deals with some historians and the WSWS or the World Socialist Web Site. The WSWS (which is a
sectarian group that claims to be the primary arbitrator of socialist values which is ludicrous) believes in the ideology
called class reductionism. This view teaches that all forms of oppression are the results of class forces causing these
things to occur. They believe that capitalism primarily contributed to the rise of racism, sexism, etc. for the capitalist
elites to divide workers of all backgrounds against each other. That is wrong, because sexism existed since the start
of human history long before modern capitalism was established. Racism has existed long before the Maafa too.
While class issues are very important on why things that they are (we must study class issues), a class majority
approach is limited for many reasons. Many racists are poor, eliminating classism and class oppression won't
eliminate all forms of racism or sexism, and systematic oppression is not just a product of class alone. It is also a
product of international forces of racism, xenophobia, class oppression, and other structural injustices.

Statistics prove that racial discrimination is not just an individual or class affair (though class is part of these things).
Racial discrimination disproportionately harms black Americans in America in dealing with job opportunities, school
suspension, health issues, the environment, and to the criminal justice system itself. Michelle Alexander wrote about
the mass incarceration state in her eloquent book entitled, "The New Jim Crow." That is why I don't agree with class
reductionism, but class issues are very important to recognize and understand to get things done. In order words,
richer African Americans suffer less economic oppression than poorer African Americans. Class stratification does
 exist in the black community. That's a fact. You can't ignore the issue of race either. WSWS criticizes Sister Hannah-
Jones, because WSWS believes that she wants to condemn white people collectively, and they believe that she
maintains that the DNA of America is by virtue of its existence is irredeemable. WSWS is wrong on all accounts. In
fact, Hannah-Jones said explicitly that she wants America to be better.

Nikole Hannah-Jones has criticized WSWS as misinterpreting her position. I agree with her. It is obvious that Nikole-
Hannah-Jones doesn't believe that America is irreversibly unchangeable. She said that black people in America
contributed heavily to enhancing democracy which is true. She believes that black people have experienced a
unique, specific form of white racism including slavery (like being stripped of our culture, creeds, languages, and
social mores via being kidnapped thousands of miles from Africa plus illegally sent to the Americas, Asia, etc.) that
can only be eliminated by systematic change. She is right in that position. On certain details, people have the right
to critique her analysis (especially on the issue of imperialism and how her work doesn't mention Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. or Frederick Douglass in a detailed fashion). I don't believe that she is insincere in her goal in trying to
outline the imperfections of American society. I disagree with some of the views of historian James M. McPherson
on his views on abolitionism.

McPherson on his views of abolition equated abolitionism to racial egalitarianism when many white abolitionists
didn't believe in equality for black people. Some of them just hated slavery. Some didn't want women to have equal
rights. Other abolitionists believed in racial equality like Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth. The abolitionist
movement was a diverse movement. McPherson ignores the fact that even after the Civil War, Lincoln didn't want
universal suffrage for black people, but only a select number of black people given the right to vote. McPherson
didn't read all of the 1619 Project, but he skimmed through it.

Amy Euphemia Jacques Garvey (on the image on the far left) was a great journalist and revolutionary
who lived in Jamaica. Paul Robeson, Claudia Jones, Nadia Cattouse, and Malcolm stood up against
injustice wholeheartedly too.

I agree with Nikole Hannah-Jones in supporting reparations for Black

Americans.
The image on the left shows The 1619 Project journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and WBEZ’s Jennifer
White having a discussion about history and culture (The image on the left is from the Institute of
Politics at the University of Chicago). The image on the right is Nikole Hannah-Jones and her
husband Faraji Hannah-Jones. The couple love their daughter, and they live in the Bedford-Stuyvesant
neighborhood of Brooklyn, NYC. The couple has fought for black freedom for years.

For WSWS to assume that she or
Hannah-Jones is some puppet of
middle-class Democrats to advance
some racialist narrative to divide
Americans is highly wrong and
inappropriate. Nikole Hannah-Jones
never wrote about any biological
basis for racism either. The biggest
slander against her is that some
accuse her of saying that racism has
a genetic basis, which isn't the case
at all. Outlining the truth on racism is
real. Diminishing the impact of
racism and economic oppression
against African Americans (and
assuming that it is just mostly an
example of class issues) as done by
many class reductionists is an
affront to history. For example, the
Great Migration included millions of
black people escaping the South for
better economic opportunities (that
is a class issue), but many African
Americans in the North still
experienced racism, discrimination,
police brutality, and other injustices
(which is a racial issue). While the
1619 Project does merit legitimate
critiques on certain issues (I will not
deny that), I don't view Sister Nikole
Hannah-Jones as some bigot who
wants tensions. Also, WSWS has
criticized the Metoo movement
collectively as violating the concept
of due process (which is silly), and
they have defended the
controversial filmmaker Roman
Polanski (who has been accused of
doing sexual assault for years by
multiple people). See, I know my tea
now. WSWS is a sectarian group
that promotes the idea that anyone
who deviates from their views is
somehow not a true revolutionary.
That is incorrect as socialists and
non-socialists alike can be just as
dedicated to freedom as anyone
else. WSWS supports Sean
Wilentz's criticizing the 1619
Project. Sean is a Princeton
professor. The problem is that
WSWS hypocritically praises Sean
Wilentz when Sean is a Clinton
supporter (while WSWS has articles
criticizing both Bill and Hillary
Clinton). Wilentz (who defended Bill
Clinton's war in Yugoslavia) wrote
an adoring biography of Andrew
Jackson when Jackson was a slave
owner, a racist, a pro-austerity
extremist, an abuser of Native
Americans, and a stone-cold
reactionary extremist. WSWS's
glamorization of outright slave
owners, racists, and abusers like
George Washington (who wanted
escaped slaves to be kidnapped and
brought back to slavery) and
Thomas Jefferson (who never freed
a slave when he was alive and
believed in the myth of black
intellectual inferiority) is just plain
wrong (and it outlines their goals).
WSWS claims that Lincoln wasn't a
racist. We have quotes of Lincoln
saying that he doesn't believe in
equality for black people, but he
opposed slavery. WSWS cites no
evidence that Lincoln wasn't a racist
or never said racist comments.
Lincoln didn't even want all black America. Just because early It is a historical fact that European
adults to vote in 1865. President America had massive imperfections, imperialism plundered the non-
Abraham Lincoln was right to doesn't mean that the British Empire European world, instituted the
support the Union during the was heroic. During the Maafa, organized the genocide of
American Civil War and to support Revolutionary War, the British the indigenous peoples of the
the Amendment to abolish slavery. Empire maintained slavery in the Americas, and carried out other
WSWS says that Hannah-Jones Caribbean, Africa, and other places crimes that WSWS has minimized.
of the world. The While I don't omit the imperfections
British Empire of the 1619 Project (i.e. It doesn't
never banned talk about how capitalist exploitation
slavery contributed to social problems that
worldwide until we face today in America. It doesn't
1833. The go into detail about the labor
British Empire movement, the Pan-African
continued movement, and other movements
imperialism and for change. The 1619 Project
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. united with Dr. colonialism well doesn't mention information about
Nkrumah in support of being against into the 20th the Harlem Renaissance, the Black
imperialism and colonialism. century. The Power movement, A. Philip
1619 Project Randolph, and the Great Migration),
claims that African Americans have should have cited that information. I do believe that she or Nikole
fought alone in the fight against The American Revolutionary War sincerely wants a discussion in favor
racism. That is incorrect. We know existed as a rebellion by many of legitimate social justice. It is also
that African Americans never fought colonists against policies of the important to mention that combating
alone in this struggle for freedom. British Empire. The rebellion racism must be done by combating
WSWS denies that racism and resisted the actions of the imperialism as Malcolm X has
slavery were key parts of American Monarchy. Slavery does have a role mentioned (in other words, you
exceptionalism. The Missouri in the war as many colonists must unite African Americans with
Compromise, the Dred Scott supported slavery and others didn't. Africans along with everyone in the
decision, and even America's The British Empire had Caribbean African Diaspora in getting
imperialism in Cuba outline that plantations that continued slavery solutions. Uniting the oppressed
American exceptionalism had a throughout the Revolutionary War. people of the world to solve
great deal to do with racism, Even the Dunmore proclamation of problems makes perfect sense). So,
imperialism, and the conquering of 1775 (which wanted black soldiers I have a more nuisance view of the
the lands of Native Americans (in to fight for the Redcoats in exchange 1619 Project. I reject the 2 extreme
violation of treaties and the human for emancipation) allowed slavery views of everything in it being wrong
rights of the indigenous peoples). among loyal British subjects. Many and everything thing in it being right.
Framers claimed to want liberty, but Nikole Hannah-Jones is brave to
WSWS said that Hannah-Jones they denied it from black people, take on this quest in showing the
believes that American history is a women, the poor, and other journey of African Americans. I
struggle between black and white oppressed people. So, while WSWS admire her bravery. She is right that
people which is wrong on WSWS's wants to minimize the wickedness of the legacy of slavery continues in
part. We know that American history some Framers, the 1619 Project our generation in 2023. This doesn't
is a product of complex factors that minimized the wickedness of the mean that America can't be better to
deal with class, other British Empire. redeem itself fully. It is just that we
socioeconomic factors, race, should understand history (without
gender, and other realities. It isn't They or folks in the WSWS want whitewashing it) to make a better
just about conflicts between black class determinism to be the order of world. She is right to say that, "The
and white people, and I don't believe the day instead of realizing that life truth is that as much democracy
Hannah-Jones implied that. Also, is complex and intersectional. Not as this nation has today, it has
many historians want to glamorize even Lenin or Trotsky (who wrote in been borne on the backs of black
the British Empire which is wrong as favor of black self-determination) resistance." Therefore, this is my
a means for them to criticize early believed in total class reductionism. take on the 1619 Project.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

 Howard University's
Historic Protest
One of the most important events in HBCU history was the October 2021 protests at
Howard University. Many students in the university protested the mold, mice, and
substandard conditions in campus residential buildings in the Blackburn Takeover. People
demanded an improvement in their living situations and representation on the board of
trustees. The Blackburn Takeover student protest at Howard University, in Washington,
D.C., started on October 12, 2021. Leaders of the protest included people who are Aniyah
Vines, Deja Redding, Jasmine Joof, Lettirose Cargill, Cherelle Muhammad, Tyler Davis, and
Elishabeth Cunningham. Social media platforms promoted this event like Instagram and
Twitter. The Live Movement, which is a HBCU coalition, helped in this protest by
amplifying the protest. Students didn't want mice and water flooding their living spaces.
About 150 students erected a tent city outside of the Blackburn University Center to demand
strong improvements in the living conditions and representation on the university's board
of trustees. The students desired the following 4 demands: a town hall with President
Frederick and the entire student body, student trustee positions to be permanently reinstated
on to the Board of Trustees of Howard University, a comprehensive housing plan to remedy
all issues plaguing on campus and off campus housing, and academic, legal, and disciplinary
immunity for all the protesters involved.
The university fought back, but the students won. The university claimed that because of the
protest, Sodexho food service employees of the Blackburn café were laid off. Many people
supported the student protest like Senator Elizabeth Warren, Reverend Jesse Jackson, rapper
Gucci Mane, Debbie Allen, Martin Luther King III, Rev. William Barber III, and local
lawmakers (like At Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese
Lewis George). Jasmine Joof, spokeswoman for the #BlackburnTakeover, said Monday that
the agreement has effectively ended their protest. "We have achieved increased scrutiny,
transparency and accountability," Joof told CNN. Rev. Jesse Jackson was on the campus of
Howard to help mediate the situation between students and the Howard administration.
The necessity for modern-up to date housing on any campus is always important to
advance. After about one month, the Howard students reached an agreement with
university officials. Wayne Frederick, the president of the historically Black college in
Washington, DC, said Monday afternoon that the agreement between the school and the
students who occupied Blackburn University Center over poor housing concerns is a
"welcome step forward." It is important to oppose evil on any campus. Many universities have
victims of rape, abuse, bullying, and other mistreatment. Therefore, we must be clear to stand
for righteousness and human dignity for all. The students at Howard University in 2021,
2022, and in 2023 represent a new era of social protest and advocacy for justice.
 MORE INFLUENTIAL HBCU ALUMNI

Yolanda Adams (Texas Simone Missick (Howard Antoine Bethea (Howard James A. Sills III
Southern University) University) University) (Morehouse College)

Jacque Reid (Northwestern Evelyn F. Smalls (North Carolina JB Smoove (Norfolk State Roberta Flack (Howard
University) Central University) University) University)

Pam Oliver (Florida A&M Wendy Raquel Robinson (Howard George Alcorn (Morehouse Tom Joyner (Tuskegee
University) University) College) University)

Ben Wallace (Virginia Union Joyce M. Roche (Dillard Dr. Deborah A. Cole Sylvia Trent Adams
University) University) (Tennessee State University) (Hampton University)
The HCBU Icon the late Chadwick Boseman
(1976-2020) Rest in Power
Brother Chadwick

Chadwick Boseman was a legendary actor. He could do it all. Also, his role model Denzel Washington inspired
him to perform greatness. Chadwick Boseman was one of the greatest actors of this generation. He studied
directing at Howard University and became an expert writer, director, and actor. He received wisdom from legends
constantly. Also, he portrayed prominent black Americans in lms like 42 for Jackie Robinson, Get on Up for
James Brown, and Marshall for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Involving action, he was one of the
lead actors in the lm of Black Panther that celebrated the beauty plus diversity of black culture. Anderson, South
Carolina was the place of his birth. Boseman earned a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion
Picture and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (for the lm
Black Panther). Da 5 Bloods was one of his last movies. Boseman (who was a lifelong God believing Christian)
played basketball in high school, he was an orator, and he loved his family. His other role model was Phylicia
Rashad too. His gift in acting was that he could make the character come alive with dignity, complexity, and
empathy. He not only acted, but he wanted his character to showcase their profoundly diverse human qualities.
Chadwick Boseman showed the legacy of our black ancestors of the past, appreciated the present, and wanted
a future for black Americans to be greater. That was his service to our people. He passed away from colon cancer,
and his life represented the necessity of men (especially black men) to get tested for colon cancer. He loved his
wife, Taylor Ledward, unconditionally. It’s always a blessing for a man to love his wife. Chadwick Boseman was an
icon.
 Many Miraculous, Positive Stories about our People

Tesha JD Allison rose from
poverty in Jamaica to be an
attorney, author, real estate
broker, and entreprenuer. She
loves her 8 children too.
Wade Austin-McDonald is a
retired commerical pilot now, and
her daughter Fiona Austin-
McDonald is a pilot too. Fiona
Wade loves being a pilot in the
Caribbean at Guyana.
9 Year old Tiana Former refugee from
Akoh-Arrey Uganda Julianne Lukambo
becomes a best graduated as a valedcitorian
selling author after in Columbus, Ohio (in igh
people bullied her school). She earned
for her Afro hair. $240,000 in scholarships.
She worked hard for her
accomplishments.

The youung teenager Alecia The teenager Tupac Moseley Anthaea-Grace We know Warrick Dunn
Washington graduated as the graduated from Raliegh Egypt High Patricia Dennis is as a famous former football
first black American School in Tennessee with a 4.3 the youngest person player who played for the
valedictorian at R.J. Reynolds GPA being a valedictorian (This to ever graduate Atlanta Falcons. Yet, he is
High School in Winston- was years ago). from college in more than that. His mother
Salem, North Carolina in 100 Canada being 12 (a police officer) was
years. years old. She murdered when he was a
earned her senior high school. He
bachelor's degree in raised 5 siblings while he
biomedical science was in college, graduated
from the University from college, and has built
of Ottawa. over 170 houses for single
mothers.
HBCU's Continued Link to
Blackness
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are always tied into Blackness forever. In black
culture, hard work and education are always preeminent precepts embraced by us. Our
parents and our grandparents always taught us to get up, work in various jobs, and be as
outstanding as possible in our daily endeavors. For over 100 years, Historically Black Colleges
and Universities have given the world many legends of business, law, science, education,
military service, entertainment, art, and sports. Our people have shown excellence since the
dawn of human history, as black people are the first human beings in human history. I have
been to an HBCU before as many of my relatives graduated from HBCUs in real life. These
colleges and universities give people a true sense of community and belonging in their own
daily lives. The wisdom of Chadwick Boseman, the talent of Anika Noni Rose, the intellect
of Katherine Johnson, the eloquence of Nikki Giovanni, and the genius of Spike Lee all
encompass HBCU culture. In HBCUs, you see diverse backgrounds, personalities, and
nationalities come together to advance the cause of education, justice, and happiness. In life,
people do desire joy and peace. One way to advance those legitimate ideals is to have
camaraderie with family and friends. Never giving up in life is vital too, as all human beings
are created equal with value, purpose, and the power to achieve greatness.
By Timothy

We will always lift our voices up in favor of

freedom and justice in a paramount fashion.