Why do people not see the inherent racism of HBCU's?

Question

I have been reading some things about HBCU's and I want to get some feedback. I think what pro-HBCU folks need to understand is that educated people typically don't have a problem with colleges celebrating and preserving their history as a HBCU. That is a great thing. BUT, I think it is so obviously wrong for a college's formal mission to include advancing the education of a specific ethnic group--such an action is fundamentally racist. This will become more obvious as time passes and more children of multiple races are born in the US. Defining someone as black or african-american will become even more difficult--this will make the racism of HBCU's more obvious. But in the meantime, why do many people not see the inherent racism of HBCU's? Helping an oppressed group advance is wonderful and important, but for a public college to do that means to exclude other groups (at least to some extent).

Taranto, my question clearly refers to public colleges and ONLY public colleges. Public colleges should not dedicate themselves to the advancement of a particular ethnic group--not with TAX MONEY! And regarding UNC and Duke, it is very difficult to compare two great national research institutions--UNC has a number of departments superior to Duke's.

RoaringMice, nobody said they don't admit whites. Nobody said a few of them aren't majority white. And nobody said that helping blacks achieve is bad--this is good! But you can't have a public institution use tax dollars to promote the advancement of blacks. There are two sides to the coin--it's good, but darn racist too!

Answer 1

Are you upset with Notre Dame because part of their charter is to advance the education of members of the Catholic Church? How about Brigham young? Liberty?

Are you upset with Mount Holyoke because theirs is to advance the education of women?

Are you upset with West Point because theirs is to advance the education of those interested in serving in the military?

Are you upset with Gallaudet University because theirs is to advance the education of the deaf?

Are you upset with the Fond Du Lac Tribal College because theirs is to advance the education of Native Americans?

Are you upset with the University of North Carolina because theirs is to advance the educationof those not good enough to get into Duke?

Why are you upset about this? HBCUs were created to fight racism -- not promote it. Many of their students prosper -- because they are (for the first time in their lives) not in an environment where they are judged by the color of their skin.

Answer 2

I highly support Taranto's answer. I only write to add that Historically Black colleges and universities do accept white students. In fact, some are majority white. Others have what I'd call "diversity" programs that are designed to recruite white students to their campuses.

Being an HBCU often has more to do with their mission than with the color of the skin of their students.

Answer 3

Because it is only racist when white people exclude others.
Can you imagine the results if someone ever tried to open an all caucasion university!