U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Tuesday responded to the controversy over a Monday statement in which she was quoted as suggesting that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were “real pioneers when it comes to school choice.” DeVos was lampooned for the remark, which critics said does not take into account the fact that HBCUs were founded in response to segregationist policies that prevented African-American students from attending the same schools as white people. “Providing an alternative option to students denied the right to attend a quality school is the legacy of #HBCUs,” DeVos wrote on Twitter. “But your history was born not out of mere choice, but out of necessity, in the face of racism, and in the aftermath of the Civil War,” she added.
#HBCUs are such an important piece of the fabric of American history—one that encompasses some of our nation's greatest citizens.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2017
Providing an alternative option to students denied the right to attend a quality school is the legacy of #HBCUs.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2017
But your history was born not out of mere choice, but out of necessity, in the face of racism, and in the aftermath of the Civil War.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2017
#HBCUs remain at the forefront of opening doors that had previously been closed to so many.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2017
We need more good schools. We need more good teachers. And no child should be denied the opportunity to enter a great school. Not one.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2017
