What We Think: Due to diversity, Prairie View A&M University may suffer the same fate as Tennessee State and lose its HBCU status.Once again it appears as if integration is in place to desecrate any and everything black. Historically black Tennessee State University is on pace to do a 180, racially. Acts like this are reminiscent of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s “Black Wall Street.”
In the early 1900s, North Tulsa’s Greenwood District was a 35 square block area where blacks
were free to shop, spend, and live, thanks to the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of blacks.
The circulation of black dollars produced some of the nation’s most affluent blacks. Black Wall Street was envied by the entire country. However, since its destruction, black communities
haven’t prospered as much.
Black colleges have carried on in the spirit of Black Wall Street amid racism, modest funding, and second-tier resources.
Just as Black Wall Street, historically black colleges and universities were the creation of segregation. Instead of wallowing in their deficient circumstances, black Americans reacted auspiciously. In 1990, more than one in four black bachelor’s degree recipients were graduated
from a historically black school.
Of the 112 million dollars the university was allotted by the state of Tennessee, many of those dollars are spent upgrading the facility in attempts to make Tennessee State University palatable to caucasians. This includes minority scholarships to any and EVERYONE not of an ebony hue.
The prevailing powers have scored a damaging blow to the souls of black folks. HBCUs provide a
litany of benefits. In addition to education, they provide much needed jobs within the black community. They provide blacks from all over the country an opportunity to forge relationships, bond, and grow. They provide black students with black professors who actually CARE, and
want them to succeed.
Since his inauguration, President Wright has preached a mighty tale of being diversified. If and when Prairie View does become diverse, will we suffer a fate similar to that of Tennessee State? Will our school become Texas A&M at Prairie View? Will the university president continue to be controlled by the Texas A&M system? Alumni, is this how you want your campus to be in the future?
All one has to do is open their eyes to see the subtle diversity on campus. Sure, diversity will provide monetary resources, but is it worth our history? At this rate, Prairie View A&M University
is on its way to selling its soul, and Texas A&M is picking up the tab. It is our sincere hope that we do not suffer as we did with the demise of Black Wall Street.
The eight students who first walked on the grounds that is Prairie View A&M University are turning in their graves.