A number of events occurred in the late ‘70s and ‘80s to shift public policy from that of racial neutrality to that of an initial acceptance, tolerance, and finally encouragement of black colleges as racially identifiable and part of the pluralistic system of higher education. Instead of disproportionately desegregating historically black colleges, they were to be enhanced. With the persistent under-representation of blacks in most managerial, policy-making, and professional positions—all of which required a college education—and demonstrable proof that the black colleges were contributing out of proportion to their numbers to increasing the flow of educated blacks going into the mainstream of society, the historically black colleges were increasingly recognized as positive instruments for integrating the broader society. Black colleges were also increasingly being appreciated as havens for able students who were financially in need and rejected elsewhere. Finally, and most importantly, positions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal government reinforced the acceptability of black identifiability. The Supreme Court declared that the use of race-specific remedies to address the effects of past legally-enforced segregation was constitutional. Thus, it became legal to target assistance to the historically black colleges.

Today, historically black colleges are thriving. There are approximately 106 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which are defined by the White House Initiative on HBCUs as “Those institutions of postsecondary education that were originally founded, or whose antecedents were originally founded, for the purpose of providing education opportunities for individuals of the Negro or colored race, and which continue to have as one of the primary purposes the provision of postsecondary opportunities for Black Americans.” The 106 HBCUs are located in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. These institutions include accredited two- and four-year as well as graduate and professional institutions.

http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/UShbcu.htm

This subject has always been one that has troubled me. I thought the fight for desegregation ended things like this a long time ago. I am all for EQUAL rights. This gives a race special rights, a place set aside for that race. I would be just as horrified if this were a Historically WHITE College or University. I just do not think that this is what Rosa Parks fought for and so many other courageous people who stood up (or in her case sat down) and fought for equal rights.This seems like another form of racism, a way to segregate willingly from other races! I do not believe it should have ever been allowed. I believe it further promotes an already strained relationship between races. It fuels the fire, so to speak!

You can be sure that if there were the reverse, "White Colleges", the ACLU and the NAACP and other groups would be all over it with litigation to stop the injustice. So why are "Black Colleges" being allowed in a Nation that is supposed to be encouraging, demanding and enforcing equal rights under the law?

I do not believe that College loans and grants should be given on basis of race either. If there is grant and loan money out there it needs to be given to those who are most in need financially. Those should be the only basis on which they are given! Not because someone is Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc...or White. This is the only way to make sure financial aid is fairly dispersed.