I would not be the person I am today if I did not go to Howard. That comfort is the reason that, like Martin, so many Black high schoolers look to these colleges across the country as their potential home for higher education. Mostly founded during Reconstruction as a vehicle for Black youth who were largely restricted from education and newly free slaves to receive higher education, HBCUs are inherently focused on Black empowerment and cultural safeguarding.
A large part of that safeguarding comes in the strong presence of Greek life and other organizations on these campuses.
Black Greek-letter organizations formed in the early 20th century as a response to the institutional racism of the time. Now, nine of these organizations β known as the Divine Nine β comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council and have a strong cultural significance for Black Americans, playing a great role in uplifting many of their members. The proposed amendment to the fraternity's bylaws would restrict membership to "any male defined as a human being naturally born male, who remains and continually identifies as a male.
This move sparked intense discussion in the Black community. I also know a few gay men that are in the organization and just crossed in the last two years. A Howard legacy, Cooney has always been active in his community, but until he got to college, he says his sexuality was never something he placed at the forefront when it came to his community service. It became unavoidable to separate his identity from his on-campus image because of how loud of an advocate he chose to be.
But, Cooney says that choice can be challenging. However, Those identities impact each other. Overall, Carter says he thinks that historically Black Greek letter organizations have become more inclusive in the last few years β something he believes Howard has influenced. There are outliers, but for many young people entering their historically Black university β finally having the chance to fit in β it can be hard to avoid making yourself fit that mould so you have access to the community the success Greek life can provide.
