While the method of execution may have been vituperative, our friend rosaparks54 brings up some interesting issues for us to consider. Why is it that the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have their own competition? Actually, I can answer that myself. Because Honda sponsors it as part of their outreach and so they can associate themselves with something worthy of that buzzword of the decade, diversity. I also figure Honda wants to sell more cars, especially to college students with money to spend. I have no problem with this sponsorship or selling cars, although I prefer Toyota myself. However, I do have a problem with some of the preconceptions involved with this tournament. The biggest one is that people who attend HBCUs are not capable of competing at the same level as those people at ordinary colleges and universities. Has it been proven that this is the case? Or is the Honda competition a relic of the earlier days of CBI (1950s and 1960s) when discrimination against people based on the color of their skin was widespread and socially acceptable? Relics have a way of disappearing when they have outlived their usefulness. For example, Radcliffe College has been integrated into Harvard University, and the Negro Leagues disappeared 15 years after Major League Baseball opened the doors to black players. Those of you who would point out that the Honda competition is an example of diversity may have to help me out, because that tournament does not look very diverse to me. I have no doubt HBCUs are capable of competing at the same level as not only their peers that compete in the regular CBI competition, but also those teams that instead play NAQT and ACF. There is no difference in how HBCUs and regular colleges and universities prepare for these competitions. Whether you are black, white, yellow or red, you read books, play packets, look at lists and write questions. The late, great Johnnie Cochran did not strive to be the best black lawyer; he strove to be the best lawyer, period. If the times no longer fit, you must acquit. Dan
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