As a Black senior navigating the necessary preparation for the next chapter of my life, it is so disheartening to witness the recent events taking place at one of the colleges I’ve applied to, Howard University. My interest in attending an HBCU has grown in recent years as I’ve begun to embrace my cultural identity and desire an environment that protects and strengthens me in my Blackness. This is why it is so disappointing to see Howard fail their students like this.

Over the past few weeks, Howard students have peacefully protested the living conditions at the university. From moldy expired air filters to mold and fungus growing within the dorms, students have been rightfully concerned about what this institution’s billion-dollar endowment is being used for. But what most disgusted me was how their peaceful protests were met not only with overall dismissal from the university but with police calls.

It is no secret that police brutality is a large issue in this country, which disproportionately affects Black people at large. This is why it absolutely baffles me that such a well-known HBCU like Howard would involve the police against their own students when what they’ve done isn’t wrong. Rather than addressing their concerns and doing better by them, those representing Howard would rather dismiss them and forcibly silence their protests.

Most students attend HBCU’s so that they can be a part of a community that supports them in ways PWI’s aren’t able to. These students want to be around people who are similar to them, and understand their racial disposition. They don’t attend one of the nation’s best HBCU’s to be met with bad living conditions, law enforcement, and lack of support when their concerns are voiced. 

The circumstances at Howard right now are upsetting and must be addressed expeditiously. To see these things discourages future applicants and disrupts the current students trying to get the most out of their college experience. It’s time to do better.