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BET’s “College Hill” Is Back — Here Are 10 Things You Need To Know About HBCU Culture

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BET brought College Hill back to television, and now is a good time to talk about the beauty of HBCU culture.

Black culture is American culture, and a major staple within that is Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). HBCUs have been committed to serving and educating Black people for hundreds of years.


BET

Recently, BET rebooted its reality series, College Hill, with eight celebrities (NeNe Leakes, Ray J, Lamar Odom, Cash Doll, India Love, Big Freedia, Slim Thug, and Stacey Dash) attending Texas Southern University.

Although the world the cast see is only a fraction of a holistic HBCU experience, it does show why the historical institutions are still relevant. Here’s 10 reasons why:

1.

HBCUs offer a sense of community.


The Undefeated NKA Andscape / Via giphy.com

Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies are all the rage; they are super important for organizations to implement. However, for minority communities, having a safe space to exist and feel and be in a place without much pretense is refreshing. It’s like a big family reunion every single day.

2.

The yard is more than a stretch of campus.


Apple Music / Via giphy.com

On College Hill: Celebrity Edition, the eight celebrities (now college students) walked on campus, greeted by the college’s royal court, the marching band, and a slew of students excited about their arrival. Now, the students with their cell phones ready to capture the moment could totally be attributed to the status of the celebrities. Nevertheless, the yard is typically filled with fraternities and sororities stepping, the college’s court casually strolling through, students headed to class in their best outfits, and the list goes on. The yard is the pinnacle of gatherings.

3.

Black Greek life is a real thing.


Giphy / Via giphy.com

Black Greek Letter organizations have deep histories within the Black community. With most of the nine fraternities and sororities having over a century of service under their belts, the organizations hold a special place on college campuses around the world. But, they hit a little differently at an HBCU (refer back to the sense of community). Also, Ray J had a weird way of expressing possible interest in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Let’s just say it wasn’t the right way to do that.

4.

Remember we talked about family? Yeah, that goes for faculty and staff as well.


D. Idowu Olutosin / Via nappy.co

After each successful milestone, the cast meets with their academic advisors to check their progress and how they are acclimating to college life. We even see that the teachers care little about their status and influence and more about their work ethic. HBCU professors are like second parents. They won’t force you to do anything, but they will push you toward your best and pull you to the side if they think you are slacking or need additional support.

5.

The cafeteria doesn’t always hit, but when it does, it’s on!


PHATCOMEDY / Via youtube.com

We haven’t seen much from the cast eating in the “caf,” but I can’t talk about HBCU culture without the glory of Fried Chicken Wednesday and Fried Fish Friday. I had those days at Morehouse College. My Spelman College sisters enjoyed the same luxury, and I have friends at other HBCUs like Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University who testify about the same cuisine. Those days don’t miss.

6.

Extra-curricular activities are like the Olympics.


The Undefeated NKA Andscape / Via giphy.com

Each cast member was encouraged to join a club, sport, or organization. While they all chose the ones they were most interested in, many of them did not expect the level of rigor that came with it. I think Stacey Dash was in for the rudest awakening. She wasn’t ready for the level of dedication required to keep up. HBCUs may not have the same budgets and resources as big state schools, but we are no less excellent and serious about our crafts.

7.

You grow up fast.


YouTube / Via giphy.com

Now, this can be true for most college experiences, regardless of the type of institution. However, the days of hand holding are over. Yes, your professor may reach out when things are off, but they will not show pity for lackluster behavior and poor academic performance. The HBCU difference? You will fail even if they like you and treat you like family.

8.

Bonding is a quick act.


Dear White People/Netflix / Via giphy.com

Most HBCUs have intimate enrollment sizes compared to larger colleges and universities. Because of this, the world gets even smaller. Everyone knows everyone, and the opportunity to co-labor, co-exist, and co-function is intensified. The cast mates learned this when they were introduced to group projects and living situations.

9.

Since we mentioned dorms, let’s talk about them.


Morehouse College / Via morehouse.edu

These are more than just living quarters. It is an ecosystem where ideas are born, the barber and beauty shop is housed, and lifelong friends are formed. The College Hill crew is bonding fast. You get to know someone quickly when you have to live with them. And while this crew doesn’t have to stay in traditional dorms, they are forced to neglect the privilege of their home lives and build community in this new space.

10.

A Different World pretty much got it right, and College Hill: Celebrity Edition is not too off base.


HBO Max / Via gifer.com

One of my all-time favorite sitcoms is A Different World. The depiction of Black excellence and the cultural nuances of HBCUs were spot on. Plus, seeing that representation was paramount for young Black kids aspiring to attend college. Although that show pre-dates anything I knew about school at the time, after attending Morehouse College, I can say the show was spot on! From the depictions of relationships to the minor detail of having hot sauce on the table, they definitely used art to imitate reality. College Hill is different because it’s “real” but more because of the students the show focuses on.

This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the nuances and experiences felt at an HBCU, but we can’t deny the impact HBCUs have on the world. From Nobel Peace prize winners to the Vice President of the United States, there are many reasons to celebrate and acknowledge the greatness of HBCUs.

What are some things you remember about your HBCU experience that made it special?

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“It Was A Masterpiece”: People Are Revealing The Single Best Episode Of Television They’ve Ever Seen

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21.

Mr. Robot — ‘407 Proxy Authentication Required.'”

“It was one of the most densely written and tense pieces of television I’ve ever seen — not to mention the phenomenal acting, editing, and cinematography.”

—u/ByDarwinsBeard

“This episode of TV is seriously the best episode of all time. Seriously.

I say proxy authentication required in my sleep.

If you are a lurker and never heard of Mr. Robot, I cannot recommend this masterpiece more. From start to finish, it’s the best TV series IMO.”

—u/jmjacoby95

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Drew Barrymore Said That Jennifer Garner “Really Saved” Her Post-Divorce

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Drew Barrymore Talks Jennifer Garner, Therapy

New York Magazine published a profile of the talkshow star earlier today, but part of the interview was conducted when Jennifer was a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show last month. Speaking to the publication, she described Jennifer as someone who “really saved” her.

View this video on YouTube


The Drew Barrymore Show / Via youtube.com

According to the profile, Drew saw Jennifer as a “model” on how to conduct herself in public post-divorce. After all, shortly after Drew split from Will Kopelman, Jennifer began her own separation from Ben Affleck.

In Jennifer’s Drew Barrymore Show appearance, Drew surprised her with a number of birthday gifts — including balloons, flowers, and a key to Jennifer’s hometown of Charleston. At the time, Jennifer whispered into Drew’s ears, “You are bananas” — to which Drew replied, “I am so bananas.”

When the cameras stopped and Jennifer left, Drew then reportedly spoke to the audience about her fears over the segment. “I will just be totally honest with you guys,” she said. “Making this show makes me have these personal whirlwinds. Like, I really want to make a very personal show, and I totally fucking spiraled after Jennifer Garner.”

“Like, there’s nothing I can do but just walk through it and feel my own discomfort,” she continued. “And hope I didn’t put anyone else in an uncomfortable situation. […] Does anyone ever have those episodes where, like, all of a sudden nothing they can do is right and everything is just more evidence about what a crazy weirdo you are?”

Elsewhere in Jennifer’s appearance on the show, she said that one thing she does in the morning to set her up for the day is a daily workout — in particular, hard cardio. “In honor of you, I’m gonna start,” Drew replied, though Jennifer noted that “hard cardio” might not be what inspires her.

“By the way, no, I did not reach ‘hard cardio,’” Drew later told NY Mag. “But I honored what she said by doing it. It’s a good thing: Honor people by doing the work.”

Looking back on that time following her divorce, Drew said that she was in a spiral and drinking heavily. She didn’t get into too much detail, as the fact that there is “no public scandal” around her divorce is something she’s reportedly proud of, but her therapist even parted ways with her until she stopped drinking for two years.

“Then, the pandemic happened, and I was like, Thank God I got my shit together,” Drew continued. “Because I am the strongest I’ve ever been. Then, we were building the show, and it was hard, challenging, scary, emotional, exhausting, and overwhelming, but I could handle it. Which was so great because the divorce convinced me I couldn’t handle things.”

You can read the full profile of Drew here.

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These “Barbie” Cast Members Attended A Pride Parade On A Perfectly Pink Float

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Barbie Cast Members Attend West Hollywood Pride

If there’s one place Barbie is loved, it’s at a pride parade.

On Sunday, West Hollywood held its annual Pride Parade, and it was a star-studded affair.

This included several honorees, like Melissa McCarthy who received the Ally Icon award.

Niecy Nash-Betts (on the right) and her wife Jessica Betts were named Trailblazer Icons.

Laith Ashley, who plays Taylor Swift’s love interest in the “Lavender Haze” music video, was honored with the Breakthrough Icon award.

Finally, RuPaul’s Drag Race was given the Drag Icon Award, and numerous queens who’ve competed on the show appeared on floats throughout the parade, including Rock M. Sakura and Gottmik.

Other celebrities in attendance included Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Garcelle Beauvais and Sutton Stracke.

Selling Sunset alum Christine Quinn came to celebrate, too.

However, two of the most notable attendees were Barbie costars who adorned a perfectly electric pink float for the film.

Alexandra plays one of the many Barbies. Her tagline is, “This Barbie is a celebrated author.”

Meanwhile, Scott plays a Ken. His tagline is, “You guessed it. He’s a Ken.”

While they might have supporting roles in the film, they were front and center on the Barbie float, celebrating all things love. Of course, they both wore pink.

Alexandra was appropriately dressed in a pink two-piece look with color-coordinating earrings and shoes.

Scott opted for lighter shades of the film’s signature color but still wore a pink printed button-down and pink shorts.

If a Barbie float at a Pride parade isn’t reason enough to see the film when it comes out July 21, then I don’t know what is.

In the wise words of another gay icon Jennifer Coolidge in the film Single All the Way, “The gays just know how to do stuff.”

Happy Pride! Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s posts celebrating Pride 2023.

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