The musical introduction is by Bobby Bradford,
alum of Huston-Tillotson University.
Black students. Black professors.
Buildings that bear the names of prominent blacks in the community. A thirst
for knowledge and culture unquenchable by any other establishment. This is a list
of things one might experience walking around the campus of Huston-Tillotson
University, or HT, the only historically black college/university in Austin.
Since its establishment in 1881, the convergence of Samuel Huston College and
Tillotson College has always stood for more than just another college because
it represents the strive for excellence in the Black community. Austin has so much racial and socioeconomic
segregation (as seen through the strategic placement of Interstate 35) that it benefits
from HT because of the culture, history, and opportunities it presents to not
just Blacks, but everyone.
The
cultural aspect of HT is also one that is of benefit to society. HT offers both
sororities and fraternities that have strong roots in African American history
and advancement. These sororities and fraternities, while they act as sister
and brotherhoods to establish lifelong friendships, bring forth a tradition
that spans back almost a century – stepping. Step shows put on by different
Greek organizations throughout universities and throughout cities are to
exemplify a non-academic standard of excellence. Stepping represents a
non-traditional form of dance and expression highly common in the Black
community that dignifies a sense of unity within Black Greek life that be seen
throughout the university as a whole which trickles into the life and culture
of the city.
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