Absence of African Americans

Early University

No African Americans officially attended the University of Minnesota during the 1870s.

Some African Americans passed by as white students during this time.

University of Minnesota Compared to its Peers

Was the lack of African Americans at this time unique to the University of Minnesota, or was this a common trend throughout the United States?

We can examine this proposal by looking at the year in which the first African American graduated at similar instructions.

  • University of Michigan (1870) 1
  • University of Wisconsin (1875) 2
  • University of Iowa (1879) 3
  • University of Minnesota (1882)
  • Northwestern University (1883) 4
  • Purdue University (1890) 5
  • Ohio State University (1892) 6
  • Indiana University (1895) 7
  • University of Illinois (1900) 8
  • Michigan State University (1900) 9

Despite not having any African Americans in the 1870s, the University of Minnesota was actually one of the first Big Ten schools to have an African American graduate. This shows that the University of Minnesota was not behind the times but actually a quite progressive institution.

 

Underlying Questions

  • Why did they pass by as white?

While it is impossible to know for sure, it is reasonable to assume they were attempting to avoid possible racial discrimination.

  • Were their concerns justifyable?

Yes, students concern of racial discrimination was valid based on the race relations in the United States at the time.

  • Were the concerns ultimately correct?

No, the early University did not discriminate against African Americans.