Should Majorette Stay Strictly for HBCU’s

Majorette dance is a longstanding tradition within Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but California does not offer any HBCU’s, the University of California has brought this tradition to it stands. I applaud Isis Lang, who is the creator of the majorette team due to the lack of HBCU culture in California. However, I completely understand the idea that HBCUs should keep their culture. Despite the fact that I am an HBCU student myself and a resident of California, I am not upset about USC incorporating majorette dance.
Before we decide to judge the ladies of USC for creating their own majorette team, we must look at who Ms. Lang is and her reasons for wanting to create a majorette team at USC. California does not have an HBCU available for students who yearn for the experience of attending a university where Black culture is dominant. The reasons many of my Califorianian friends do not attend an HBCU are the lack of financial aid, fear of leaving California, and the need for diversity. Lang explained to ‘Essence’ Magazine that she was a majorette dancer at her Chicago high school and wanted to continue her passion at USC. I find her reasons valid because while USC does offer cheerleading and a dance team, she wanted to create a space for women of color to dance comfortably amongst one another. It is clear that the team was not created to steal HBCU culture but to create a space for Black women to dance.
In contrast, others feel as if Lang is stealing a part of Black culture that belongs to HBCU’s. I understand the concern. However, I would like to offer another view point: The creation of USC’s majorette team can serve as an opportunity to provide exposure and insight to our culture. Just as the Divine Nine Organizations are welcomed on the campuses of many PWI’s, I feel that majorette should be just as welcoming. As HBCU students we should create support systems for our Black brothers and sisters who have placed themselves in uncomfortable environments to provide representation for us.
Despite the controversy, I believe that Lang is introducing our culture to the University of California. She has endured quite a bit of criticism along with support and media attention. I applaud her for taking strides to ensure that we are represented not only in the classrooms and Divine Nine Organizations, but in the stands as well.