Some students are seeking to escape racist rhetoric by heading to historically black campuses.
By Peter Jamison Peter Jamison Reporter covering D.C. politics and government Email Bio Follow March 16 The United States’ 102 historically black colleges and universities have always had a distinctive source of appeal: a chance for students of color to learn and mature without the lingering discrimination and overtly racist history that characterize many institutions of higher learning.
“It’s nice to be around people who can relate to you,” said Leon Smith, a 17-year-old from Upper Marlboro, Md., who attended the event. After the headlines of the past several years — including a deadly white-nationalist rally that took place in 2017 in Charlottesville, a less than three-hour drive from Bowie State — Smith said he felt “more comfortable” with the idea of pursuing his education among other black students.
Some admissions officials attribute the gains to increased outreach and marketing by historically black campuses, defined as those founded before 1964 to serve black students during an era of legal segregation. But others say that disquieting setbacks in national race relations have played a role. Theresa Price, founder and chief executive of the National College Resources Foundation, which hosts the Black College Expo, said students are increasingly coming to see HBCUs as a “safe haven” from racist views she says have become more openly expressed since the election of President Trump. “I think definitely the political environment has encouraged people to take a better look” at the schools, Price said.
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