That’s one of the reasons that led Hillary Clinton to pen an op-ed for The Root that addresses her educational plans, and in particular HBCUs.
Clinton, who has championed education for over 30 years, said that Trump’s view of black communities is both ignorant and insulting, adding “He says—to largely white audiences—that African-American neighborhoods are plagued by poverty, and that people get shot just walking down the street. He claims black communities suffer from “horrible education.” He asks them, “What the hell do you have to lose?”
“The answer: A lot.”
“For starters, Trump misses so much about what makes the African-American community strong and vibrant,” Clinton writes. “If he ever bothered to actually look for it, he might see the pride that black parents feel watching their kids thrive in school, the widespread success of black-owned businesses, or the triumphs of black leaders in every field.”
In addition, as Clinton points out, HBCUs are the last cultural jewel that black people have left in this country.
“HBCUs are a big part of this story,” Clinton writes. “Over the course of the campaign, I’ve visited nearly a dozen historically black schools—not just to show my support for their mission, but to shine a spotlight on many of their talented and inspiring students. In a Clinton-Kaine administration, we’d ensure that HBCUs can continue to remain a pivotal force in our society—not just for African-American students, but for all the students that attend them.”
She added, “…we’ll make a historic $25 billion investment across all HBCUs—public and private—so that each one has the funding to keep creating opportunities and providing more support services for underserved students. That includes expanding on-campus child care and creating more scholarships for students who are also parents to make it easier for them to obtain a degree.”
Clinton has previously supported HBCUs and stated that her plan benefits HBCUs, compared to Trump’s plan, or lack thereof.
Clinton credited Rep. Bobby Scott, who introduced America’s College Promise Act in Congress in July, with inspiring her to take action.
“So, on Nov. 8, I hope you’ll stand with us. Vote for the kind of country we want to be. And remember that all it takes is a small mark on a ballot to make a huge mark on our nation’s future,” Clinton wrote.
