PWI Schools vs HBCU Schools
PWI and HBCU are types of schools that started a long time ago, and they exist until today. PWI is an abbreviation for Predominantly White Institution which encourage and enrol the whites-only to partake in the education curriculum. These institutions do not impose that the blacks should not be admitted, but when they are admitted to the schools, they go through a lot of racism and other forms of hatred that incapacitate them as students of the whites’ schools. On the other hand, HBCU is an abbreviation for Historically Black Colleges or Universities. These institutions purposed to provide education to the Black Americans who were denied access to the white institutions. The blacks who attended the blacks’ schools were free from racism and handling of students humane as everyone is supposed to be treated. An excellent example of PWI is the University of Georgia while some such as Howard University is an HBCU institution. My purpose in the paper is to compare both the HBCU schools and the PWI schools.
“HBCU vs PWI – The Question We Really Should Be Asking and Answering” (Carter). The debate the is going about these institutions is both relevant and irrelevant at some points. The debate sprouts from educations, how well students in each institution are educated, and their viability in the job market. For example, students from HBCU schools are likely no to be employed in the United States more so in a white company since there is a belief that they are less educated and unfit for employment. “It’s a truth about how many numbers – more black students attend PWIs then HBCUs – a fact that would lend itself to the simple probability that a black student from a PWI is more like to get a job than a black student from an HBCU,” (Carter). Although this difference emerges well, there are unspoken advantages that students benefit from attending the HBCU compare to participate in the latter, who is not for the public to know. “There are truths about HBCUs that PWI advocates seem to miss during our back and forth about the benefits and sacrifices which come with attending one over the other. First, many black students at PWIs are just now getting loud with their wish to see black faculty and more black administrators on campus…” (Carter)
HBCU Vs. PWI: A Different Perspective Which Is Really a debate worth having” (Nicole). The debates commence between black students who are in HBCUs and those in PWI about choosing schools in a different race, the means of employment after graduation and how grading is done. “Usually, the debate goes a little bit of something like this: First, an HBCU students call a black PWI student a complete sell-out or anti-black, then the PWI student respond with remarks such as ‘I wanted more diversity,’ or ‘I can get a better job graduating from a PWI.’ Other times black PWI student will start up the conversation with a statement like, ‘A 4.00 GPA from a PWI is completely different from a 4.0 at an HBCU’ or ‘I would’ve never fit in at a black school.’” (Nicole). The ongoing debate based on individuals who speak without minding what they say in that talk to pass the time and insult others. “The fact is that we all need to close our mouths and use our minds because as HBCU students, it is not our job to shame every black person that didn’t choose to attend an HBCU because we all have different reasons for the choices we make and there is still a lot that a black person can do at a PWI,” (Nicole).
“Ending The HBCU vs PWI Debate in Once and For All’ (Randall). The debate bothering people is becoming irrelevant, and there should be a highlight on which schools are better and for who as blacks. The discussion is based on the ground that the black students who attend the PWI institutions do not benefit from the real black experience and the belief that the PWI attendees are superior to their counterparts. “Additionally, PWI attendees believe their educations are superior to that of HBCU attendees because of the perceives increased workload and level of rigour in comparison to the black schools” (Randall). Although the debate is more inclined towards the benefit of attending one over the other, students in both HBCU and PWI face the same struggles that all students face since they are all human beings. “Both students in these institutions face struggles which are not the same. People from either institution, as a result, have diverse risks before them prior to and during matriculation” (Randall).
“Ending The HBCU vs PWI Debate in Once and For All” (Randall). When we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of attending either of the institution, PWI is in a better position to equip its students with quality education, which is possible due to the availability of funds and resources. “Black schools are predominantly good in having problems with financial aid and are not able to provide their students with the necessary funds to graduate. This could be a major problem for students with no money to attend one” (Randall). There are more funds in PWI institutions than in what the latter can afford, and this is a struggle that bothers more the students in HBCUs institution. This problem makes it impossible for HBCU to offer the most quality education with diversification and programs that cannot be brought to credit. “Additionally, due to problems with funds, many HBCU’s are not able to offer broad and accredited academic programs for students because there aren’t any HBCU in Texas with accredited therapeutic programs making students who can only afford in-state tuition is at a major disadvantage” (Randall).
“My Thoughts On The PWI vs HBCU Debate” (Cooper). There exist some misconceptions about these institutions depicted by what the attendees and alums voices. According to the alums, the HBCUs are more interior and ghetto in their operations when aligned with PWI institutions, and this dominates the thought on which school to enrol and get educated. “Black PWI attendees and alums are under the impression that HBCUs are too ‘ghetto,’ lack diversity, or do not have the proper accreditation. Because of this, they would rather attend well-known schools for XYZ reasons. Black PWI attendees know that the ‘real world’ is not a black utopia, and feel that a multiracial college campus would be more accurate. Some may also get the impression that HBCU attendees think they’re ‘more woke,’ ‘holier than though’ for attending a black institution over a white one” (Cooper). The debate is pointless and has no direction since it is obvious when someone does not what they want, they will create it for themselves as it is the case with the HBCUs institutions, which formed on the basis that black did not have an education. “I understand the importance of HBCUs. There was a time where blacks in America could ONLY attend those schools. Many successful black people were products of an HBCU…I know my history, and u respect it” (Cooper).
“My Thoughts On The PWI vs HBCU Debate” (Cooper). Attacking people based on their decision to join a particular school is pointless since everyone has a right to make the decisions that they consider more important. Both are schools, and in one way or another, the basics in education are met and appreciated. “HOWEVER, coming at people condescendingly and making a snap judgment on people’s reasoning for attending an HBCU/PWI is stupid times infinity. All of the problems in the black community, and people feel the need to criticize people on which overpriced institution they chose to attend. Let’s be real; colleges are scamming us” (Cooper). People should focus their attention on more productive areas in their lives rather than wasting resources to point out the inefficiency of an institution over another. Energy should be directed in the regions that promote togetherness. “Instead of being a great [internet] debate on which school is the best for black people, how about we celebrate excellence, put our educated minds together and create something awesome,” (Cooper).
“HBCU vs PWI – The Question We Really Should Be Asking and Answering” (Carter). HBCUs institutions are very beneficial in America despite going through the worst nightmares of criticism. The question we should be answering if where the fight is directed and the future of HBCU schools in the coming few decades. The same whites that pushed for the initiation of the HBCUs are now into the idea that they are not good, which has emerged from seeing their impacts on building the blacks. “Rich white guys thought so little about black folks that they created and funded the idea of HBCUs, only to poach students and resources away from them once they figured out how valuable they were in building Black America. Today and into the future, it is our job to help them finish the job, or to slow them down?” (Carter)
As I conclude, both of the HBCU and PWI schools are beneficial in uncountable ways. The higher education attained by the black, although through struggles, has helped in shaping the black culture and reducing poverty in areas that are wanting. To an educated person, it is not mandatory to be employed, and when there are no jobs, people should learn to create some for themselves and stop the idleness that it is government’s work to create jobs. Primary education fosters creativity, and when directed to areas that do not require sophisticated knowledge, it can help in boosting the economy of a state. Students, alums, and everyone, in general, should be optimistic in all of their endeavours if productivity is to consider. Positive creates insight that helps have good health and in interacting with others. Although education is fundamentally corrupting, everyone need to be civilized in their thought about schools.
References
Carter, JL. “HBCU vs. PWI – The Questions We Really Should Be Asking and Answering” HBCU digest, JLC LLC, 3 May 2016, https://hbcudigest.com/hbcu-vs-pwi-the-questions-we-really-should-be-asking-and-answering/
Cooper, Nicole. “My Thoughts On The PWI vs. HBCU Debate.” M, Medium, 19 Dec 2017, https://medium.com/@nicolecoop/my-thoughts-on-the-pwi-vs-hbcu-debate-e570f89c1ea2
Nicole, Amber. “HBCU Vs. PWI: A Different Perspective Is it really a debate worth having?” Odyssey, Odyssey, 4 August 2015, https://www.theodysseyonline.com/hbcu-pwi-different-perspective
Randall, Julian. “Ending The HBCU vs. PWI Debate in Once and For All” Study breaks, Study Breaks, 4 May 2018, https://studybreaks.com/college/hbcu-vs-pwi-debate/