The inner ramblings of a distracted (and reflective) scientist.....
HBCUs seem to be getting a lot of press as of late, and the transformation of the American educational system with the influence of DeVos has made me aware of the potential threat our current administration may have on the continued success of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. More specifically, with Howard in the news recently, it's raised a minor concern as to whether HBCUs are relevant in modern society and if government interference during Trump's presidency will turn malicious.
As an HBCU alumnus, I rep my humble beginnings with pride. I loved my HBCU experience. During my time at Stillman College I had ample opportunity for self discovery and reflection. I discovered my leadership potential, and the familial atmosphere prepared me to take the world by force. There is a heavy emphasis on selflessness and community enrichment that is instilled, and I believe HBCUs help to develop more socially aware and enlightened individuals. When I think back to the annoying rules, dress codes, chapel attendance, mandatory curricula that included African American Heritage, religion, logic and reasoning, I find myself appreciative. My HBCU shaped me into a self thinking, well spoken, well dressed black woman.
There are many times I sit back perplexed and confused about how little ole me, black girl from a broken home, could ever achieve in the capacity that I have. I'll tell you how... HBCUs give you confidence, and I almost allowed my graduate school to instill timidness in me. I suffered extreme anxiety when I enrolled in the PhD program at UAB. I allowed negative stereotypes about my alma mater to make me feel like I was less than. It wasn't until I presented at my first committee meeting that I realized my HBCU was not a hindrance. My committee talked about how well spoken I was, how much of a grasp on the material I seemed to have, and when I was told that I was nothing but a charity case, I pulled on the strength of my ancestors and went into beast mode to graduate early and publish as much as humanly possible for one person in a 4 year time span.
If I shared full details of the hellacious process of obtaining a PhD, you'd probably wonder how and why I didn't just quit. I wonder that same thing all the time, and I attribute my success primarily to my HBCU experience, my marching band experience, my pledging process, and my ability to see beyond one bad day, one racist letter left on my desk, and one negative opinion that sought to break me. And of course, the grace of God that pulled me through my lowest lows.
So here I am in an unfamiliar place, walking in purpose and attempting to insight change within the American health care system through my research in African American health disparities. I intend to invest in my community and spread knowledge to any willing to listen. My HBCU experience encouraged me to BE the change I want to SEE.
My black is strong, beautiful, intelligent, and impactful.