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Black Student Dragged for Creating HBCU Style Majorette Team at Predominately White Institution
Attempt at Inclusion of Historically Black College and University Traditions in PWIs Met with Black Community Backlash
Chicago-native and musical theater major, Princess Isis Lang, a black student at University of Southern California (USC), formed a Majorette team — “The Cardinal Divas”.
USC, a Predominately White Institution (PWI), does not have a Majorette team. Majorette teams are relatively specific to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Majorettes, a main feature in HBCU sporting events, accompany the Marching Band. They are traditionally adorned in flashy team uniforms showcasing toned legs, personalities, and the flexibility of its pretty team members. HBCU majorette culture is well-recognized, celebrated, and often duplicated in popular culture. Most notably, choreographer JaQuel Knight used a prance style of majoretting nicknamed “J-setting” (in reference to HBCU Jackson State University’s majorette dance line) to choreograph Beyoncé’s iconic 2008 music video, ‘Single Ladies’.
HBCU Majorettes, fabulously featured at black college sporting events since the 1960s, are legendary. They are envied, admired, and adored. For many black students headed to life at an HBCU, becoming a Majorette is more than a dream, it’s a goal. It may have a goal since high school, or even elementary school that only leads to disappointment at PWIs. For many black students, becoming a Majorette is about more than fun, showstopping dance moves, popularity, and opportunities. It is about culture, identity, representation, and recognition. It is more than understandable that black students in PWIs would desire to affirm their identities with teams, spaces, and creative outlets that celebrate the black experience while claiming their right to exist — loud, live, and in…
