PressEthic

In an article published in Monday’s USA Today, minority enrollment into colleges and universities still seems to lag behind their Asian and Caucasian couterparts. Being a minority, and a product of a HBCU (Historically Black College or University), the article pointed out extremely important factors as to why the growth has been ‘incremental and not transformational.’ According to the article, Beverly Daniel Tatum of Spelman College attributed the slow progression to limited guidance and encouragement in elementary and high schools. I completely agree with her statement. My gripe about the article is that it provided some insight on what could be potential factors that cause the issue, however, it never really expanded on the issue. I almost wished the article would have interviewed a few high school guidance counselors in areas where minority enrollment to colleges has been higher relative to other places. The article made me ask myself, as an African-American, “Why is it that the Caucasians and Asian Americans students enroll in college at much higher rates than minorities?” I was always encouraged by my high school teachers to seek higher education. I would love to get other opinions on the topic.