HBCUs Have A Responsibility To LGBT Students
In 2002, I graduated from a historically Black college. A first-generation college student, I was a celebrated student-leader who was well-respected by the administration, faculty and my peers on campus. Still, being Black, gay and proud, I was also fearfully silent. It was never said but implicitly understood that being gay was not going to win me any allies or let me keep any.
http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_7335.shtml
May 29th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Bravo, Eric, bravo. And kudos to Diverse Online for broaching the subject in the first place.
Not only are there idealistic and economic reasons for promoting the well-being of LGBT students of color on campuses, but there is a sociopolitical one as well: African Americana can’t afford to throw away or disregard talents and skills that could benefit black communities everywhere. Socially conservative black folk have been particularly short-sighted by relegating black LGBT people to the margins. Why not do everything possible to nurture the next generation of beneficial black leadership from ALL positive and talented students?
June 8th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hi Eric,
I am a doctoral student at Bowie State University in Maryland. I am writing my dissertation on the experiences of GLBT students at a HBCU. I would love to dialogue more with you about this topic. Please contact me via email at lwalker1913@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Lynne
July 25th, 2007 at 6:16 am
k2chm6
July 30th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Eric,
First, I was so surprised to see an article from you on here (I said…Eric Pritchard
)…very interesting views and your approach was very direct which I expected nothing less! Great article and definitely an issue in colleges (universally) that has yet to be attacked, but with individuals like yourself these clandestine issues will no longer be insidious and taboo because education needs to be all inclusive. Great read.
Best,
Dennis
February 21st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
It is important to remember that while the primary focus of any collegiate experience is and should be education, the social aspect of higher education should not be ignored. It is a fact that the interaction students have in their school environments is important as well. Students only learn when they have a support system, a comfort level, an outlet for dealing with anything in their lives that could affect education, or their interaction in the “real world.” Having on-site support for LGBT students can only benefit the students, and the school itself, for these students will be more prepared, more comfortable with who they are and stand to become more succesful, and a credit to their academic institution.