Howard University’s The Illtop Journal, sponsored by comic genius Chris Rock, opened with a piece titled “white student’s guide to howard u.” Chuck O’Fay, the name given for the author of this humorous piece, describes some observations he made as a student at Howard. One in particular had to do with dating. “If you’re a white guy and you think a “sister” is checking you out you’re probably wrong. She’s just wondering what the hell you’re doing at Howard.” 😊
Milverton Saint, an African American blogger, argues against Whites attending Howard, stating, “There isn’t a single example in the entirety of human history of one white person coming into a Black space and allowing it to remain a Black space.” He goes on to say that Whites who are allies should support Black space in colleges, not dilute it. When I went to Skidmore College, an all-women’s college at the time, I heard this same argument. Skidmore’s culture would be irreparably harmed if it admitted male students. Soon thereafter, yours truly along with 15 male students from Colgate attended Skidmore as part of the Colgate Skidmore exchange program (note: in return, Skidmore sent 16 female students to Colgate, an all-men’s school). Both Colgate and Skidmore are now coed.
Recently, Dr. Wayne Frederick, the President of Howard, issued this powerful statement; “Howard has a unique responsibility to provide opportunities for talented Black individuals to uncover the truth, debunk stereotypes, and inspire children of color to believe that anything they can dream they may also achieve.” Given that Howard is referred to as “The Mecca” for Black education and empowerment, some might ask why a White guy like me took a space that could and should go to a Black student?
The vast majority of Howard students still are African American and female. Whites made up around 1 percent of the student population when I attended. Nevertheless, Howard students have always been extremely diverse, representing a rich mix of cultures, countries, faiths, and social backgrounds.
As a white graduate of Howard who spent 7 years at the Mecca working toward my Ph.D. degree, I have been asked more times than I can remember why in the world I decided to go to Howard. It might help to share that this decision was not rushed; I did my homework when it came time to pick a graduate school in the area. I wanted to go somewhere part-time since I was teaching full-time at Baltimore City Community College and supporting my family at the time. Also, I was interested in pursuing my work in the field of sociology, having most recently earned my Master’s Degree in soc at New York University.
I narrowed my search down to four colleges and universities that offered doctorate degrees in sociology – Johns Hopkins, American, Howard, and Delaware. I researched all these campuses and visited the first three, once I figured Delaware was a bit too far. Why I chose Howard might surprise you.
–to be continued
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