Home of The Brave, Land of The Who?

Home of the Brave, Land of the Who? by Aria C. Brown

The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience, much like Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s world-renowned Marching 100, is incomparable. The role of HBCUs in shaping and expanding freedom through education, civic engagement, and social justice is not only essential to the positive progression of Black American communities but also is substantially impactful.

Education has historically been a key factor in African American culture. At one point, we were denied the ability to learn, and to counter that, we now have thousands of successful and intelligent HBCU graduates. Prior to the creation of HBCUs, there were no formal learning opportunities for African Americans. One was given the opportunity to learn under treacherous conditions, or no education was available throughout the entirety of one’s life. The nation’s oldest HBCU, Cheyney University, carries much in common with the newest HBCU, H. Council Trenholm State College. Both are recondite entities that provide services and educational opportunities for African American students, similar to the mission of HBCUs across the nation. In other regards to education, the United Negro College Fund and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education have released data that reveals that 50% of all Black educators nationwide are produced from HBCUs. As a product of the Duval County Public School System, it was crucial to myself and others to see Black educators daily. Without solid role models outside of the home, Black children are less likely to be successful in adulthood.

Politics can be considered a worrisome topic in the eyes of those who are not involved in it. As a Political Science and Public Administration scholar at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), I understand firsthand the perception of politics and governmental associations. Many young adults in Tallahassee, Florida, and nationwide are not civically engaged in their communities. This is due to a lack of information, a lack of interest, or the fact that there is no immediate change to how society functions. According to Tufts Circle, a non-partisan research organization, Black youth had a lower voting rate compared to their non-Black counterparts, and 30% of Black youth feel that racism is a “top-3 issue”. This reveals the drawbacks of Black youth in civic engagement, but Tufts Circle also revealed that 15% of Black youth have volunteered in the past year, Black youth are more likely to run for a governmental position, and Black youth are much more likely to be a part of a union than other racial groups. Civic engagement does not end at voting. It involves donating to nonprofits, joining community groups, and cleaning up the local community. I civically engage consistently, whether that is informing my peers about upcoming events in the city of Tallahassee, learning how my local government operates, reading city council reports, and, most recently, getting a Leon County library card. If it had not been for the services and knowledge provided at FAMU, I would not be as knowledgeable about the services offered by Tallahassee. Other HBCUs offer vital information about their communities, such as Grambling State University and Howard University.

Social justice is the pursuance of equitable and tangible treatment for all individuals, not one subsection of humanity. The role of HBCUs when it comes to social justice is to teach students how to properly advocate for themselves, to instill confidence, and to be an open space for Black youth to find community. Social justice will not be successful if society cannot live in harmony. On February 13, 1960, students in Tallahassee high schools and at FAMU successfully executed a sit-in at the Woolworth on Monroe Street. This was not only a monumental moment for those students, but for Black communities nationwide. That was not the first time that social justice was exhibited by Black youth. The students who participated in the Tallahassee sit-in were inspired by the Greensboro Four, the Black students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College who conducted the first well-known sit-in a month prior. HBCUs did not and do not only support the students who attend the institutions. FAMU hosts many events for local high schools, FAMU Developmental Research School nurtures its students and provides an exemplary curriculum, and lastly, FAMU serves as one of many food pantries for the city of Tallahassee. Without HBCUs, African Americans would not have the freedom to live comfortably, express themselves, or create robust legacies for years to come.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University has presented me with opportunities that I otherwise would not have known were possible. As I continue through my undergraduate studies, I am appreciative that I get to walk the highest of seven hills every day. HBCUs have not only affected my life but also the lives of the 215,000 other Black students currently enrolled in HBCUs. Freedom means embodying the desires of my ancestors that were not possible for them but are possible for me. I am my own legacy. I am freedom.

Works Cited

“Black History Month: The Story of the Tallahassee Sit-in | Department of History.” History.fsu.edu, history.fsu.edu/article/black-history-month-story-tallahassee-sit.

“Black Youth Are Invested in Their Communities but Encounter Barriers to Voting.” Tufts.edu, 29 Oct. 2024, circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/black-youth-are-invested-their-communities-encounter-barriers-voting.

Braithwaite, Jordan. “Civic Engagement at HBCUs: Reclaiming Our Power.” Forbes, 24 Oct. 2022, www.forbes.com/sites/civicnation/2022/10/24/civic-engagement-at-hbcus-reclaiming-our-power/.

HBCU First. “HBCU History Timeline.” HBCU First, hbcufirst.com/resources/hbcu-history-timeline.

“UNCF Issues Revealing Report on Black Teacher Pipeline Best Practices at HBCU Teacher Education Programs.” UNCF, 8 Feb. 2024, uncf.org/news/uncf-issues-revealing-report-on-black-teacher-pipeline-best-practices-at-hbcu-teacher-education-programs.