On Sunday, September 17, 2006 I stumbled upon Prairie View A&M University’s front web page. I was sadly disgusted to see the faces of not one but four non-black students on the front.
Prairie View, which is still an HBCU, I think, should be aware of what this subtle hint says to its current and former students. I find it an injustice to Prairie View’s black student population to feature students of a non-black heritage on the front page of a black college. You definitely won’t see other schools promoting other races on their front pages. Yes, PV is sadly trying to become the Mecca of diversity among black institutions of higher education, but at what cost? Prairie View was founded for black students, and the black student should be the most celebrated. Where is the tradition? Where is the support? How are we influencing our black children when we want to promote everyone else except them?
I saw the front page of The Panther student newspaper last week as well, and I’m guessing the news of the bikers at PV was the most important, because again I saw not one black face.
Some may question why I’m making such a huge fuss over what pictures are posted on websites and newspapers. It’s because if you look at every other form of mass media, it is our people, beautiful black people, who are underrepresented. And it’s a shame that an institution for blacks won’t even promote and showcase blacks, yet do their best to push the agenda of diversity while stepping on the toes of the black students who the school was meant for.
There is no way to stop other races coming to PV, but PV doesn’t have to kill the black population at the same time. Oh, and in case you ever visit the president’s office, question
why there are no issues of Black Enterprise or Essence in the lobby, yet a dozen of Hispanic Weekly is readily available.
As an alumna of PV, I am very dissatisfied and embarrassed by what has become of this institution. For those students and alumni who feel the way I do, speak up, make your voice known. Blacks need to help the black community, first and foremost. It’s not all about money and diversity.