A Black student shared on social media that she created a majorette team at the University of Southern California, but swiftly sparked debate over how, or if, HBCU culture should be shared with Predominately White Institutions (PWIs).
On Sunday (September 18), Twitter user @princesslang0 boasted about forming The Cardinal Divas of SC and showed off the team’s first performance in a video that has now gone viral.
“Oh nothing… I created a majorette team at a PWI and performed at our first game,” the student wrote on Twitter alongside an eight-second clip of the squad performing as a crowd of USC fans cheered in the background.
While some social media users praised the student for her innovation, many others were critical of the creator for bringing an experience unique to Black colleges to a PWI.
oh nothing… i created a majorette team at a PWI and performed at our first game.
truly though i’m so blessed and can’t thank God enough. Thank you to my parents and to everyone who supported me along this LONG journey. and my girls FYE💫The Cardinal Divas of SC are UP NEXT. pic.twitter.com/vif5e02z4b
— Princess👸🏾 (@princesslang0) September 19, 2022
“Happy for you genuinely… But leave Black things at Black institutions,” one Twitter user said.
“This is an HBCU-style dance team created at a PWI,” another chimed in. “The problem with trying to create HBCU culture at PWIs is HBCUs don’t benefit from it or get credit for it. And…like everything else, the white majority there will eventually take it and claim it was ALWAYS theirs.”
Others suggested that the student should have chosen to attend an HBCU if she wanted to be on a majorette team.
That style of dancing is at black schools. Just like how we cheer. Every thing does not need to be inclusive. Idc how you feel because I said what I said
— Phuong Jenkins △⃒⃘ (@ty_hotcommodity) September 19, 2022
This is an HBCU-style dance team created at a PWI.
The problem with trying to create HBCU culture at PWIs is HBCUs don’t benefit from it or get credit for it. And…like everything else, the white majority there will eventually take it and claim it was ALWAYS theirs. https://t.co/TntulCT4vG
— Siti G. (@sitiart) September 19, 2022
It’s giving I want HBCU culture but desire PWI validation! 😒💀
If an HBCU isn’t good enough for you stop trying to replicate HBCU culture at white schools! Y’all do this all the time and it’s very tiring at this point! Not J-Sette Rejects at the white school! 💀🫠 https://t.co/EulhtzZUrT
— HBCU HIVE (@hbcuhive) September 19, 2022
This is great and all but why not just go to an HBCU…
— Amber Magee (@amber__diann) September 19, 2022
Amid the backlash, the student was applauded by some Twitter users who appreciated her efforts to integrate Black culture into a predominately white space.
“Culture isn’t restricted to HBCUs. Culture is for us wherever we go,” one user wrote.
“To everyone against this: Black people carry the culture. not a Black space. we have to stop thinking that because Black people are in white spaces that they must assimilate to those spaces,” another said.
I absolutely love this. As a USC mom who went to an HBCU with a daughter at an HBCU, I appreciate you putting our style on a major scale. USC football is huge and whether folks wanted to see it or not, they did. Culture isn’t restricted to HBCU’s. Culture is for us wherever we go
— Mary Michelle (@MaryMichelle79) September 19, 2022
Hbcu’s are very expensive and everyone can’t afford to go to one. This is coming from someone who attends Clark Atlanta. Nothing wrong with her bringing representation to her school.
— Dijah🤎🇳🇬 (@Heyitskhadijah) September 19, 2022
I don’t care what anyone says…THIS IS AMAZING. A huge step for black usc. A black woman is being a pioneer and some people in the community are failing to be supportive. Show love not hate💯 https://t.co/VtYNMyvdYD
— Ceyair (@ceyairr) September 20, 2022
I’m of the opinion that black culture exists wherever there are black people present. There is something to be said for people who are brave enough to make sure black culture is heard, influencial and appreciated no matter how many black people are in the space. https://t.co/uQY5qCUkHq
— Unobtainium Daydreams (@ShimminyKricket) September 19, 2022
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