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[jaebear22-blog]

Hey Tumblr followers!! Back again with another blog!! I hope you guys like my work so far. Comment , give me feedback and keep reading. Enjoy!

Today I am going to talk about HBCUs and PWIs , and why HBCUs are better than PWIs for black students. An HBCU is a historically black college and/or university. They were first founded in the year 1865 ,which was Shaw University, for black people because they were not allowed to attend regular colleges with white people due to racism. In the present, HBCUs are here to give an education that is equal or better than PWIs and help black students connect to their culture in a new way. A PWI is a predominantly white school. These schools have been here since 1636. The first PWI that was founded was Harvard University. Do you see the huge gap? There are several reasons why I believe that HBCUs are better than PWIs for black students.

        One reason why HBCUs are better than PWIs is because black students are able to learn more about their culture. For example, in USA Today , they were talking about a young lady who got “ a life changing experience” from going to an HBCU because they “talked about things’ that were not talked about at her predominantly white high school. Being a black student at an HBCU helps you learn about fellow students who come from different backgrounds but all have similar end goals.. Which is to be successful in their chosen field. From personal experience, I can say coming from a high school where the teachers only really cared about the white students success, it is nice to come to an HBCU where the staff wants all of the students to succeed. They also want you to be comfortable while being at your home away from home.

At HBCUs, they connect your future occupation with your culture no matter what class. For example, clubs at historically-black Howard University include the African Law Student Association, which addresses “the professional, political and social needs of students who identify with the African heritage and culture.” Another example would be,  “In every course, instructors approach each topics from a general point of view and from the specific cultural perspective of African-Americans.”  There is also a sense of confidence or strength you build when you attend an HBCU. For example, “Going out into a professional world that often seems at odds with black identity, HBCU graduates have built up distinct confidence in their identities, learning how to excel in their fields while retaining who they are.” As a black student, it is easier to learn from someone who looks like you. It is easier for the professor to relate to you because most of them were you at some point in time.

Another reason why I believe that HBCUs are better than PWIs for black students is because of the support you get at an HBCU. When you attend an HBCU it feels like you never left from home. It is your home away from home. The staff at HBCUs especially the professors are there to help guide you and shape the adult you will soon become but will call you out when it is needed. While attending an HBCU, you build close relationships within the student body because students “ come from similar backgrounds and circumstances”. “ These type of connections have helped me to feel more connected to the Black experience. ” At HBCUs, you and the alumni are connected. They understand what you have been thought and how the school operates.  Once you join an HBCU you are family for life. For example, at Morgan State University once you are a bear you are a bear for life. “ At HBCUs, your network is your net worth.”

The final reason why I believe that HBCUs are better than PWIs for black students is because their is diversity even though it is historically black school. On average, there is about 25% of the student population is non black or African American. This gives students a chance to be around people with similar goals that look like them and also have a chance to meet people who want to experience your culture. For example, at Morgan State I have met people from the other side of the country and the other side of the world like India. Going to an HBCU has opened up the possibilities for me to get know my culture more and learn about other people as well. If I did not go to an HBCU I probably would not have been exposed to my own culture like I have been. It is important to surround yourself with a little diversity. For myself in particular Morgan State University, an HBCU, was the perfect fit for me.

Going to an HBCU has changed my life for the better. I have opened up to new experiences that are making me to the women I want to become. I have never gotten the opportunity to learn about my culture and me coming to Morgan State is doing that for me. Being around people who are like me and want to do something with there life inspires me to do better and be better. I feel like I am at my home away from home. I feel like if I had went to a school that was predominantly white I would like I was out of place and like I did not belong. We go BIG or we GO home. There is a ton of school spirit which fit me to the t. I have always love being apart of the student body and getting into it. So going to football games and dressing the part is what I like to do and so do fellow students at HBCUs. They have such rich history and I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to learn about it. There is no place like an HBCU.

I just want to say “ I love my H in front of my B, my B in front of my C, my C in front of my U , I love my HBCU!!

[jaebear22-blog]

Life At A HBCU As A Freshman

By: Jaelynn Finklea 

My First Week

As a first generation college student I had no idea what to expect from college life especially an HBCU. My first day on the Morgan State campus I felt like I never left home. Within the first week I had already made friends and had been a part of several activities. There was something always going on especially during “Freshman Week”. The activities were made so you can make friends and get used to the college life. Being here for just a week had already changed my life for the better.

College Classes

My first few college classes I thought it was going to be just like high school with a little kick but I was wrong. In high school, I never really had to worry about due dates except for a few classes but in college due dates are strict and are hard for the professors to change. I had to make changes to my lifestyle so I could succeed in college. The professors ARE NOT LIKE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS!! They will not stay on you to do your assignments and do not care if you cut or skip class it doesn't affect them but it DOES AFFECT YOU!! So do your assignments ON TIME and put effort into them or you probably will fail. Professors know when your work has no effort or time put into it.

Social Life

Within the little bit of time I have been in college I have realized your social life is a big part of your success. College is all about communication and making connections. If you DO NOT make connections while in college it could and probably will affect your life after college. So be social get to know people especially people with similar majors and who want to pursue the same career after college. This is good for making connections and having a study buddy when you need one. If I can give any advice it would to make connections in college!! I know if you are shy it will be harder then if you aren't but come out of your shell and do it. But being at an HBCU will take you out of your shell.

Being at an HBCU

Being at Morgan State or an HBCU is like nothing else I have done before. If you are Black or African American it gives you chance to connect with people who are like you and to learn more about your culture. For people who attend an HBCU who are not Black or African American it's a chance to learn about another culture. For me personally going to an HBCU was perfect for me. In high school I hated the fact that I was one of the only people of color in the honors classes so I wanted to in environment where I didn't have to feel that again.

Party Life

I never really partied in high school so coming to college I was not ready to go to parties as frequently as everyone else. But for the few high school parties I went to the do not compare to college parties. Do you ever feel like after a highschool party that you would go back to school and everyone would be talking about what happened? In college it's not like that because everyone is trying to just chill and get litt. If anyone is talking about it may be a few people but everyone isn't going to know. There is way to many people on a college campus to know about something that happened at a party.  

So get ready for college it is going to be an adventure!!

[jaebear22-blog]

[jaebear22-blog]

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

“To All The Boys I Loved Before” is a movie filled with heartbreaks and finding yourself. This coming of age movie tells the story of a girl named Lara Jean and a boy named Peter Kavinsky. Love is hard and complicated and when you find it you should never overlook it, no matter how hard it comes for you. Love is kind, love is tragic and love is eye opening. There is no easy way to say this but love will hurt you and make you find yourself all over again.

The beginning of the movie starts out with Lara Jean reminiscing on all her past lovers. Peter Kavinsky, Lucas, Kenny from camp, and josh, her sisters boyfriend ! Lara Jean has issues in this movie, as does everyone else but she copes with hers in ways you have never heard of. Lara Jean writes letters to boys she develops feelings for, because of her inability to tell people how they feel. Lara Jean is doomed when she finds out her letters have been cut loose! Her little sister Kitty realizes how up tight and alone her sister is so she does her a favor, she sends her letters to all the boys she’s loved before.

    This starts out as an innocent way for Kitty to help her sister, after all her oldest sister has just left for college. Kitty realizes Lara Jean will have to find her own way sooner or later. The first person who receives a letter from Kitty is Peter Kavinsky. Lara Jean and Peter shared a kiss together in the 7th grade. It was “hot” as Peter described it in the movie. “But it’s never gonna happen.” Peter tries to let Lara Jean down without hurting her feelings too much. Once Lara realizes what’s going on she loses her mind. If Peter got the letter then that means Josh did too! How would it look Lara Jean being in love with her big sisters ex boyfriend. It looks crazy! Then Lucas approaches Lara Jean and tells her straight up he’s gay.

Lara Jean thinks her world is going to fall apart until Peter comes up with a plan. Peter and his girlfriend break up and Peter wants her back. How great would it look if Peter and Lara Jean fake date. Just to make Gen (Peters ex) jealous. I bet you’re wondering how this will help Lara. Well if it looks like Lara Jean is in love then maybe Josh won’t think she is madly in love with him. Lara and Peter put on a show and everyone falls for it, it’s almost as if they are dating forreal. Gen gets more and more jealous the longer Peter and Lara Jean keep this up. They are just faking right ? That was the plan but who knew Peter would actually start to fall in love with Lara Jean. They get closer and closer and realize they have much more in common then expected. Lara Jean admits in the movie about her fear of getting close to people. “If you let people in you give them a chance to walk out your life.” Lara Jeans is referring to her mother, who passed away when she was younger. This doesn’t stop her from falling in love with Peter Kavinsky.

    As they both start to realize how much they love each other the hottub scene comes on. The epic hot tub scene! Peter and Lara Jean share a kiss, but not just any kiss an I love you kiss. Trust me the audience knows the difference. This all happens on the ultimate ski trip. After the trip Lara Jean gets confronted by Gen. This ruins everything. Gen tells her that Peter made his way to her room and stayed the night!  Lara Jean stops talking to Peter for a while after this happens. Why would Lara Jean write a letter to Peter and put an address and not deliver it. It’s because she wanted to she really did but she was scared. She let her fear of losing people get in the way of finding true love. Eventually she looks at the notes Peter wrote her everyday, she loved him she really did and maybe it was ok to take a risk. Maybe it was ok to tell him she loved him despite what Gen had to say. You only get one life right? Lara Jean makes her way to Peter and tells him how she feels. Peter feels the way. Surprised? I was. “It’s never gonna happen.” Oh but it did and it was marvelous.

    I enjoyed this movie for several reasons one being that the actor choice was absolutely amazing. One of the main characters was Lara Jean who was played by Lana Condor. She is kind of new to the acting game ,but they way she did in this movie you would not like that. I also like how she is the main character and she is Asian. There aren't many main characters in movies that are Asian. Another main character was Peter Kavinsky who was played Noah Centineo. He has experience acting but his role in the movie has changed the game for him. He also has a similar role coming up in a new movie called “ Sierra Burgess is a Loser”. Him and Lana have a chemistry that seem like they could be dating in real life which made it even better to watch.

    Another factor of this movie that I enjoyed was that it was more relatable to this generation than other romantic comedies. For example, at the beginning of the movie Peter straight up told Lara Jean that it was never gonna happen. But in most rom coms it's like love at “first sight”, in all reality that does not as frequently as this movies make it seem. It shows that love can happen once you get to know the person. In other movies they have wait til almost the end of the movie to either find their love or they realize it at the end. But in this movie the both knew that they had feelings for each other they just never wanted to admit it. I feel like this is way more realistic than other movies.

So .. go watch “ To All the Boys I've Loved Before” I promise you won’t regret it.