opinion
When I was 17, my father drove me to the campus of Florida A&M University. My parents decided on the college for me, because they felt it was important for me to learn more about my culture.
We didn’t agree on many things, but this time they were absolutely right. FAMU not only helped me to understand more about the rich history of our people, I can honestly say FAMU helped me to grow academically, spiritually and consciously.
My "FAMU-ly" helped me to understand that we were responsible for one another, and that only by working together could we make it through this thing called life. I proudly say that FAMU helped to make a young, naive girl from Orlando into the fearless and tenacious woman that I am today. FAMU is an integral and longstanding part of our family’s legacy.
Because of my love for this university, I am very concerned about the toll this pandemic will take on FAMU and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
More: Historically black colleges fight for survival, reopening amid coronavirus pandemic
We already know that comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes, which are tied to COVID-19 complications, disproportionately affect the Black community. However, the rates that this disease is killing African Americans is alarming, as science clearly indicates that there is nothing biologically different about race. There’s so much more about this disease that we don’t know, and to have universities planning to open in the fall is a terrifying thought.
It is no secret that our HBCUs are struggling financially, and with the added burden of this pandemic, any plan to open schools this fall will require a huge amount of funding, support and planning. Even with the appropriation from Congress, this aid package is not enough to assist a school already struggling financially.
We need to ensure that FAMU has the necessary supports, especially as it relates to finances to adequately protect its students, faculty and staff.
Ours is a rich culture, a historic and necessary sanctuary for minorities to be educated and truly benefit from the solidarity and support that can only be gained from an institution that fully understands the needs, experiences and history of its students. We need FAMU and other HBCUs to be around to educate the next group of future leaders.
This pandemic has hit all universities hard, but it is hitting or HBCUs harder. Without additional funding and other support, there’s a real possibility that HBCUs won’t survive. We need to maintain these safe spaces where minorities can spend their four years learning, honing their craft and preparing to go out into a world that doesn’t always see them as the dynamic, creative, brilliant force that continues to make this country what it is.
We need to advocate for debt forgiveness and additional funding to support FAMU to open its doors safely and we need it — now.
Paula DeBoles-Johnson is the founder and executive director of the Capital City Youth Development Corporation.
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