Before attending Hampton, many students watched “A Different World” in hopes of attaining insight on life at an HBCU. The camaraderie among students, energetic social gatherings and strict yet supportive professors all helped mold viewers expectations.
However the lessons of a classic sitcom may no longer be relevant to students more than 20 years later.
HBCUs have been under harsh criticism for years. With the recent introduction of a bill that would merge the black Southern University at New Orleans with the white campus of the University of New Orleans, America has been questioning the relevance and importance of HBCUs that are facing budget cuts and other challenges. Critics feel that HBCUs are no longer important because racial relations within America have improved and the programs within historically black colleges may not compare with that of their white counter parts.
Despite these criticisms, students still choose to attend. However, the media has struggled for years on how to accurately portray the life of students at historically black colleges. While most emphasize the more social elements like sporting events or parties, students and professors alike believe it’s time for a change.
Dr. Leona Johnson, a psychology professor at Hampton University, wants HBCUs to be represented as the powerful institutions that they are. Dr. Johnson emphasizes that although “A Different World” did an excellent job at portraying the historic institutions, there were some key elements that were left out.
“We don’t see the reminder of leaving a legacy at your HBCU or how powerful the education is. We don’t see an obligation of leaving a legacy at your HBCU; it’s why I am at Hampton, to give back”
Being a graduate of two historically black institutions, Dr. Johnson feels that any new show or movie aimed at portraying HBCUs needs to be focused on the importance of education and the develop of students character and leadership abilities.
Will Wanzer, sophomore architecture major from Woodbridge, Va. would also like to see a change in how HBCUs are represented. Although Wanzer is a member of the Marching Force, he feels that the emphasis movies and shows have on the band and other social organizations at HBCUs tends to overshadow the educational programs that students are involved in.
He, along with other students, admitted to watching movies like “Stomp the Yard” and “Drumline” and allowing them to mold his perception of college. However these perceptions, Wanzer says may not always help our institutions. “We aren’t seen as relevant and the culture is stereotyped.”
Geena Piedu, a junior nursing major from Alexandria, Va. stresses that the best way to show how relevant HBCUs are is to show students maintaining strong academic lives while also trying to have a social life, something that is more real and relatable to all college students.
As the state of HBCUs changes throughout America, their depiction needs to match that as well. While “A Different World” was the best representation at its time, students are now vying for a show that they can more easily relate to.
This was published in my campus newspaper! Written by moi (:
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