hbcu
hbcu s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have played a vital role in the history of U.S. education even though some critics attempt to marginalize their vast accomplishments. At the same time, even though some of these critics also question their relevance in 21st century America, HBCUs are as vital and necessary as ever.
When the first hbcu s were founded prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) - Cheney State University, (originally the Institute for Colored Youth which was established after Richard Humphreys (1750-1832), a Quaker philanthropist moved by the 1829 race riots in Philadelphia, PA bequeathed $10,000 (1/10 of his estate) to create a school for "the descendants of the African race"), the first HBCU, in Philadelphia in 1837, Lincoln University (originally Ashmun Institute) near Philadelphia in 1854 (by John Miller Dickey (1806-1878), a Presbyterian Minister) as the first HBCU to provide a higher education in arts and sciences for Black males, and Wilberforce, the first private HBCU at an underground railroad stop (to free fleeing slaves from the "bondage of ignorance") in Wilberforce (founded by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and named after 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (1759-1833)), Ohio in 1856, "it was illegal to teach Blacks to read and write" since literate Blacks were viewed as "dangerous" to society.[1]
Consequently, prior to the start of the Civil War, the Black illiteracy rate exceeded 95% with a majority of literate Blacks concentrated in the Northeast. Furthermore, due to an absence of schools to address their intellectual needs, just about every pre-Civil War era literate Black had been self-taught.
Tag : hbcu
