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Brea Burnett

Professor McDonald

English 102-11

13 February 2017

Why do Historically Black Colleges/Universities Matter?

Introduction

The first and oldest Historically Black Colleges/University (HBCUs) in the United

States is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which was originally known as the Institute for

Colored Youth. Given that people of color were less fortunate when it came to education,

Richard Humphreys, a philanthropist, funded this university specifically for African Americans.

Soon after Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was founded, many other leaders followed in

Humphreys footsteps to create a higher education system for African Americans. Today, black

HBCU grads are stronger in purpose, financial well being, and a better support system from

staff/professors. There are several different medias that can explain the purpose of HBCUs, but

the most effective medias are videos and a journal article that can include statistics. On YouTube

there was a Ted Talk, The History and Importance of the HBCU Experience by Mr. Elwood

Robinson that informs society of the importance of HBCUs and as well as gives his opinions

about HBCUs. HigherEdJobs article, Why Historically Black Colleges and Universities Matter

in Todays America, published by Melissa E. Wooten explains the significance and

contributions of HBCU students/grads in todays America.

What is the Purpose of the Genre?

Both the video and journal article are trying to raise awareness to the significance of

HBCUs and how they have impacted so many black people over the years. Both genres goals are
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to reach out to people of color, to persuade and inform about the strong history and dedication of

HBCUs itself and also their students. Elwood provides statistics that provide HBCUs success

over the years and the article expresses the importance of these schools for black youth and

beyond.

Audience and Purpose Questions

The audience of this genre is black high school seniors and parents of those students who

are deciding what school is best for them and their child. The purpose of publishing both these

videos and articles are to inform those who dont know what HBCUs are, their importance and

also their contributions to todays society. These genres are trying to get other discourse

communities to think differently, which are black students who attend Predominately White

Institutions (PWIs) and those black students who are considering going to PWIs rather than a

HBCU. Before reading or watching these genres, the audience will likely already know what an

HBCU is and the acronyms meaning. The audience will want to know what makes an HBCU

stand out and why should black students of this generation attend them because black colleges

typically have bad financial reputations. It should not take longer than approximately 20 minutes

to analyze both the video and the article. The language of both is very formal, nothing is

inappropriate for the audience it is geared towards. For those who do not know what the acronym

HBCU stands for, it may be difficult to understand at first, but both genres clearly explain what

HBCU stands for. There are a lot of significant similarities in the genres, both want to inform the

importance of black schools onto others who think otherwise.

Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos and Logos

Each genre establishes their own credibility by having speakers/authors who are
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knowledgeable about this topic, which allows the audience to comprehend the message that is

being conveyed. In the video, the speaker, Elwood Robinson shows different influential people

who have graduated or attended a black college. This shows that having a degree from a HBCU

does not determine your success. The article uses evidence to persuade people that HBCUs help

black people and also can factor into their success after college. This evidence is appropriate to

to the audience because it shows the positive attributes of attending an HBCU.

Structure and Delivery

One who is educated on this subject can talk for hours about this topic, but in the video,

Mr. Robinson is limited to approximately thirteen minutes to give his spiel about HBCUs, their

significance and how they help out black successful individuals as a whole. The way that that

the information is received shapes the genre to keep his message concise. As oppose to an article,

there is no restrictions with the time limit. Mr. Robinson includes visuals in his presentation to

contribute to the message.

Conclusion

The evidence proves that both of these genres provide insightful information

about Historically Black Colleges/Universities to the audiences that it was specified for. Both

genres are conveying the same message but use different medias. The first genre, The History

and Importance of the HBCU Experience talks about the significance of HBCUs and the

educational experiences that prepare students for the future. While the second genre referenced

the same information but used a different rhetorical appeal. The video consisted of more pathos

and ethos, while the article focused more on logos and karios. Dr. Elwood Robinson attended an

HBCU, and as well as has over 30 years of experience in the higher education experience,
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specifically at HBCUs. The Tedx Talk video with Mr. Elwood Robinson could be considered a

more helpful genre for those who are visual learners, but as for those who prefer to read the

article provides more discrete information about Historically Black Colleges/Universities.

HBCUs can help a black individual grow into a successful and intellectual person.
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References

TEDxTalks. YouTube. March 23, 2015. Accessed February 13, 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJwlBVA7GU4.

Wooten, Melissa E. "Why historically black colleges and universities matter in today's America."

HigherEdJobs - Jobs in Higher Education. Accessed February 13, 2017.

https://www.higheredjobs.com/articles/articleDisplay.cfm?ID=715.