Graduating Bethune-Cookman University Seniors: Betsy DeVos “Doesn’t Understand The Legacy of HBCUs”
Taylor and Tyler Durrant are twin sisters from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tomorrow, they will graduate from Bethune-Cookman University (BCU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) founded by Dr. Mary Bethune, a woman who surmounted unimaginable challenges for the sake of education. For Taylor and Tyler, joining the efforts of BCU alumnus and petition starter Dominik Whitehead to say no to US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaking at their graduation is more than a matter of personal belief — it’s about honoring Dr. Bethune’s legacy, and continuing that of HBCUs all over the country.
How did you both feel when BCU President Edison Jackson defended his choice to invite Secretary DeVos to speak at graduation in the face of student criticism?
Tyler: We were disgusted. This was the same man who when I entered Bethune-Cookman University in 2013, prided himself on sticking to the legacy of Dr. Bethune, sticking to our mission which is “Enter to learn, depart to serve.” I don’t think he understands that he’s gotten away from the legacy of Dr. Bethune all together.
Taylor: My initial reaction: I was so hurt that I cried.
Tyler: Yeah, we did cry.
Dr. Mary Bethune was a maverick. She started out the university with only five girls. She was only able to acquire $1.50 worth of property which was indeed the city dump. And she turned it into a university. People try to make a correlation between Dr. Bethune and Betsy. But it’s not the same.
I would love to have [DeVos] come to our school and speak to us about things that she is knowledgeable on prior to my graduation. But to go nationwide and say that we are “pioneers of student choice” — I have a problem with that. By calling us pioneers of student choice, she is ignoring all of the history that our people have went through. We didn’t go out and found our own schools because we thought we were better off doing so. No, it’s because we weren’t allowed to be educated at other universities.
When you compare Dr. Bethune to someone who doesn’t even understand the history or the legacy, that is the insult that we have here.
Taylor: [DeVos] will never know the trials and tribulations that I will face — not only being African American, but being an African American female.
Recently, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which states that HBCUs will be receiving funds in a way that is “consistent with the constitution.” What’s your interpretation of that wording, and what effect do you see the Act having on HBCUs in the future?
Tyler: Our first thoughts were that he’s saying HBCUs are unconstitutional. And I think it implies that in the future, we will see more funding cuts for HBCUs — even though we’re already among those colleges receiving the lowest funds as is. I don’t believe that there will be many HBCUs in the future.
Taylor: He’s going to attempt to explain himself in a way that makes it seem as though he isn’t attacking HBCUs. I’m sure soon he’s going to make it seem as though he is coming from a very good place at heart.
Is it true that BCU is requesting that students don’t protest at graduation?
Tyler: Via word of mouth, I’ve heard from other students that it seems like we might be threatened with fines or with our degrees being withheld, that they won’t let us walk at graduation.
Taylor: There are threats that organizations that participate in a protest will be taken off campus.
Tyler: They haven’t said “do not protest.” But they have said, “now we have a seat at the table. This is our chance. Don’t ruin the Bethune-Cookman name.” But in terms of them saying, “do not protest at the graduation or at commencement,” I have not heard that from the staff, faculty, or administration.
What opportunities were available to you at BCU that you feel you wouldn’t have necessarily been offered at a non HBCU?
Tyler: I was welcomed into a family — a family of educators that were able to cultivate me into a young intellectual, someone who’s culturally aware, someone who’s politically engaged, an active and informed citizen.
I was able to participate in the mayoral reelection. I was able to go and present research at George Washington University on behalf of my senior thesis that Taylor and I co-authored. They paid for my travel, they paid for us to get out to these different areas and let people see our research…I don’t think I would have got that at a non-HBCU. I don’t think I would have felt as included as I felt at a HBCU.
Taylor: It does something to your spirit when you know you are surrounded by people who look like you, who also place themselves in a position to succeed. Coming from a low income neighborhood where you don’t really ever see people go to college, to be surrounded by faculty and staff who look like me and are doing well for themselves — it makes me know that I can do the very same thing.
I have been in public education for twelve years, and there weren’t many times when I had African American professors. It made me constantly feel as though I was on the outside looking in. My HBCU provided me with a supportive atmosphere — there’s a sense of community and family away from home. They nurtured and guided me the entire way. They won’t hold your hand, but they’re definitely going to challenge you because they know that you deserve a challenge.
Tyler: No one in our family had gone to Bethune-Cookman University, but our mom was like, “You know, I love the legacy of Dr. Bethune, I think you all can learn a lot from her.” I love the school. I love continuing a legacy and feeling like I can start a tradition within my own family, where now we can have people who, not just attend Bethune-Cookman University, but who attend HBCUs.
I was cultivated at this university. I love this school. I love the legacy. But we have to find our way back to it.
If you’d like to join Tyler and Taylor in saying no to Secretary DeVos speaking at their graduation tomorrow, you can sign this petition to Bethune-Cookman University President Edison Jackson.
