What was an argument made by supporters of vocational training in African American colleges and university?

A key argument made by supporters of vocational training in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) was that it offered a direct path to economic self-sufficiency and empowerment for Black Americans in the face of systemic racism and discrimination.

Traditional liberal arts educations, while valuable, were often seen as insufficient in a society that actively limited Black people's access to higher-paying, professional jobs. Vocational training provided marketable skills – in areas like carpentry, nursing, agriculture, or mechanics – that could lead to immediate employment and a degree of economic independence, bypassing the significant hurdles faced in pursuing white-collar professions. This was seen as a crucial strategy to combat poverty and build Black communities.

This argument wasn't necessarily an *opposition* to liberal arts, but rather a pragmatic recognition of the realities of racial injustice. Supporters believed that vocational training could provide a foundation for future advancement *and* offer immediate relief from economic hardship, empowering Black communities in the present while building towards a more equitable future. It was a strategy for survival and advancement within a system designed to limit Black opportunities.