The following list of Black female/male student enrollment ratios at Historically Black Colleges is telling. The figures are for the 1999-2000 year. We believe that the figures are probably representative of what is occurring at predominantly white colleges where Black students are enrolled. You don't have to be a mathematician to figure out why our critical thinkers are concerned. Check out the percentages below.

Here's a sampling of the female/male enrollment percentages at some HBCUs:

Fisk University---72% female, 28% male
Tuskegee University---60% female, 40% male
Clark Atlanta University---72% female, 26% male
Morris Brown College---59% female, 41% male
Hampton University--60% female, 40% male
Florida A&M University---56% female, 44% male
St. Paul's College--63% female, 37% male
Virginia State University---58% female, 42% male
Virginia Union University---58% female, 42% male
North Carolina Central University--63% female, 37% male
North Carolina A&T University---51% female, 49% male
St. Augustine's College---58% female, 42% male
Bethune Cookman College--57% female, 43% male
Lincoln University--57% female, 43% male
Dillard University--78% female, 28% male
Xavier University---71% female, 29% male
Howard University---63% female, 37% male
Central State University---57% female, 43% male
South Carolina State University---58% female, 42% male
Voorhees College---65% female, 35% male
Bowie State University---62% female, 38% male
Morgan State University---59% female, 41% male
University of Maryland at Eastern Shore---58% female,42% male
Alcorn State University---60% female, 40% male
Jackson State University---59% female, 41% male
Rust College---58% female, 42% male
Toogaloo College---68% female, 32% male
Grambling State University---55% female, 45% male
Shaw University---63% female, 37% male
Winston-Salem State University---66% female, 33% male
LeMoyne-Owens---68% female, 32% male
Alabama State University---55% female, 45% male
Miles College---56% females, 44% male
Stillman College--66% female, 34% male
Southern University---67% female, 33% male
Elizabeth City State University--63% female, 37% male

Yes, enrollment is down for Black males, but it does not take a degreed scientist to figure out why. Urban school systems (where many Black youth derive from) are not adequately preparing our youth for the environment of college, parents simply cannot afford the cost associated with universities while living a pay-check-to pay-check life, and not to mention Black men a target of the justice system, whereas they have become legal targets for a growing industry.

In all the above situations, Black males individually are not the reason, but because of a society that has pitted itself against the potential of the Black male. Females, of course, are a different subject.

The Black female is a part of the increasing trend of feminizing American society. All the beneficial entitlements of life are awarded to woman, and increasingly Black women. In the above areas, they are not targeted the same way nor are their situations alike. A leg-up and handout are more prevalent to women because of their minority stature, even though Black men are a minority the same as women, they are slighted more often than not.

Assistance from educators would help a lot. Programs designed by educators for the Black male are obviously needed to strengthen the foundation of Black males to compete in this society. Thus, one cannot look at the above stats and completely place blame on the Black male, but have to look at the surrounding circumstances.

© 2005 by AfroStaff