College Choice, Racial Identity, and Perceived Consequences for African Americans at Predominately White Institutions in the South

Abstract

Using a sample of fourteen African American students at a single Predominately White Institution (PWI) in the south, this research tries to uncover how African Americans make the choice to attend a PWI over a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The participants in this study indicated that there were varying reasons for African Americans to choose to attend a PWI over an HBCU. These responses can be segregated and compared based off of the students’ racial identities. Students with self-identified weak racial identities were dissuaded, largely, because of their belief that HBCUs are not rigorous in their academics and a degree from an HBCU would not be as prestigious. The students with self-identified strong racial identities wanted a more diverse learning environment and did not view HBCUs negatively. Despite one’s racial identity, my participants said that by choosing to attend a PWI over an HBCU caused tension in the Black community and resulted in the Black community questioning their ‘Blackness,’ or commitment to the Black community.