Blog
After the Storm
By Deven D. Anderson, Senior Program Associate for Youth & Young Adult Initiatives on 04/25/2011 @ 12:00 PM
On Saturday, April 16th a catastrophic storm surged through the campus of Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. University officials reported that a tornado touched directly over a section of campus known as the “Quad” between 4 and 4:30 p.m. “While I knew that the situation was adverse during the evening, daylight has revealed that it will be impossible for us to safely conduct classes and return business as usual” announced Dr. Irma McClaurin, President of Shaw University through a press release on Sunday, April 17th.
The devastation not only impacted the campus of Shaw University but also extended into the local underserved communities; predominantly black and Latino families. What the sunlight revealed was a devastated campus with severe damage to their student center’s roof, uprooted trees, and structural damages to dormitories without any injuries to report. Consequently, forcing the school administration to officially close campus at noon on April 17th with the classes suspended and students sent home graded on the work that was completed to date. Shaw University a Baptist-affiliated school, is the oldest HBCU in the South and also the birthplace of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), where Ella Baker with the support of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference invited student organizers from across the country during Easter Weekend of 1960 for a youth leadership conference.
On Thursday, April 21st the University hosted a “Cleanup Day” that brought students, alumni, and the community to together. The spirit of self resilience and determination has long sustained Shaw University and the entire HBCU community. As I reflected on the storm my mind wondered how often times disasters like this one – be it large or small – often expose an underlying chronic issue. This storm not only damaged a university but also sheds some light on the often-told story of the current conditions of HBCUs. During these economically hard and uncertain times in states across America; state budget cuts not only weaken safety nets but they also weaken the viability of many of these institutions both private and public. Oft times the request for funding for infrastructure repairs are ignored or underfunded. The threats against the HBCU community are happening not only on the state level but also on the Federal level as well.
The student populations of many of these institutions make up a majority of the electorate in local municipalities and in districts for both county and state legislatures - and yes even Congressional. The sustainability of our beloved institutions must come with our increased ability to become civically and political engaged on all levels of government. As we uplift our brothers and sisters at Shaw University during this enduring time of rebuilding it is also important for us to begin to become the new visionaries of these institutions with new determination of empowering our HBCU community.
To support the rebuilding of Shaw University tax deductible contributions may be sent to:
Shaw University
Disaster Relief Fund Mechanics and Farmers Bank
13 E. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601