Member-only story
Howard University Students Deserve Better
The school administration’s handling of a student protest against poor campus living conditions is disturbing
Many consider the illustrious Howard University as the cream of the crop of HBCUs. But recently, the university has been in hot water for being anything but illustrious.
Over the past four weeks, Howard students have protested against what many describe as unsafe and inhumane on-campus living conditions. As the university’s president Dr. Wayne Frederick, the university’s board of directors, and students continue to clash over housing issues, HU alumni, faculty, and even some celebrities and activists have stepped up to advocate for Howard’s student body.
Just when things couldn’t get any worse, the university received harsh criticism for gaslighting students earlier this week by blaming their protests for contractual university employees being recently laid off. The month-long standoff is yet another bitter and chilling reminder that the higher education system is a business, and in many cases, does not exist to serve and support students as much as it does to generate revenue and maintain capitalism and ultimately White supremacist ideology. I just hoped Black educators and administrators in leadership positions would do better for our future…
