Race, Culture & Higher Learning w/ Dr. Akwasi Osei Dean @DESU
Dear Readers,
Welcome to a new series on Race & Culture. I hope you'll enjoy this week's discussion with Dr. Akwasi Osei Dean of Culture, History, Education & Social Sciences (CHESS) at Delaware State University. During this ongoing series, I will interview thought leaders regarding race, culture, education & tech to advance our shared understanding.
Episode Focus
In this episode, we will explore the complexities of affirmative action and its impact on HBCUs. We explore the effects of culture on learning and outcomes of HBCUs in Black America.
Background
The Supreme Court recently ruled that colleges and universities can no longer use race as a factor in their admissions decisions, striking down the decades-long practice of affirmative action. This decision has upended schools’ admission tactics and could make future student bodies significantly less diverse.
In response to the Court’s decision, students, alumni, and educators have spoken up about the need for more work to make universities more accessible to students who come from historically disadvantaged communities. The Department of Education and Department of Justice will provide more guidance to universities about lawful admission practices within the next 45 days.
This ruling has also brought renewed scrutiny to legacy admissions, with some universities, such as Wesleyan University, ending the practice of giving preference to legacy applicants.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established during racial segregation and discrimination, providing educational opportunities for the African-American community. HBCUs were founded before 1964 for African American students, with the term HBCU being created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities.
The first HBCUs were founded in Pennsylvania and Ohio before the American Civil War (1861–65) with the purpose of providing Black youths—who were largely prevented, due to racial discrimination, from attending established colleges and universities—with basic education and training to become teachers or tradesmen.
In light of current events, it is important to continue discussing race, culture, and education issues in America.
Here are some related articles that may be of interest:
Ep.6/
Race, Culture, & Higher Learning
