What was said was meant to point to this:
Black students should be comfortable where they want to be comfortable, just like anyone else. I was just providing a response to the above comment on which states have the most black individuals considering most states are heavy white. Regardless of that, a lot of times people are most comfortable within their own cultures, especially minorities, which is why we see certain cities, or suburbs within a larger city, full of a HEAVY majority of a minority race. That's not to say that because that exists elsewhere, every black person should be comfortable in the south or wherever else a large black population might be present. That's entirely up to people on an individual basis and whether or not that's the place where they feel they are most accepted is up to their own opinion and experiences. They are only required to learn to navigate the environment if they themselves choose a school there. That's another reason why school list is so important as everyone has the power to decide where they apply. If you hate state X, no one is forcing you to apply there. The stupidity begins when people (speaking generally here about applicants) apply somewhere they wouldn't go and it ends up being their only acceptance and then we get to painfully read through threads of people asking if they should turn down an A and reapply because they hate X school or X state.
Secondarily is that it just happens to be that half the HBCUs are in the south. Whether that's a good or bad thing is again, up to each individual. However I don't think the black population would argue that an HBCU existing is a bad thing. And half of them aren't in the south. They exist as likely one of the better chances for black individuals, especially those without crazy high stats considering most of the HBCUs have considerably lower averages, even lower than quite a few DOs. A great opportunity for an MD degree if you fit their mission.
Hope that answers the question. I am not black, but I am Hispanic. Not trying to compare head to head or anything, but you did mention Hispanic in your comment. For me, most would say I look Hispanic but I am mixed. I am from an area where there is a huge Hispanic population, but I did not necessarily grow up in a Hispanic culture. I went to a University with almost no Hispanics, but I fit in just fine. Hometown and University city were opposite ends of the spectrum politically as well. I learned how to deal with it. Because of that, for me personally, political climate had no bearing on my school decision. I also was low stats so I took what I could get and am happy with it. In that realm, it's so personal that the only advice to offer is: make the best decision for yourself. No one knows how you feel or are in that sense, at least on the internet, so that's something that must be decided individually.
I should start by saying that I'm a black american with an black Panamanian mother and black father from DC. I also agree with some of your thoughts.
Regarding HBCU's, however, I do not think anyone is arguing that HBCUs are a bad thing. Their existence is critical, and they have opened doors that were closed to Black students for generations. But one thing I do want to clarify, which you may know, but just for context, is why HBCU medical schools exist in the first place. They were not created as opportunities just because Black students had lower stats. They were created because white medical schools, especially in the South, refused to admit Black applicants. And most hospitals at the time would not even treat Black patients, many of whom had just fought for 'their side' in the Civil War. Some of these schools were completely built out of necessity. So their presence in the South does not suggest the South was welcoming. It reflects how unwelcome Black people were, and how Black communities had to build institutions for themselves for survival.
Also, when I mentioned Black or Hispanic applicants being mindful of where they apply, I was not talking about comfort in the same way someone might say they prefer ice cream or donuts. I was talking about well-being. There's an mental and even physical toll that can come with spending four or more years in places where the culture may be racially insensitive, and where the broader environment was not built for you in the slightest. Most of us can adapt anywhere. The issue is whether we should have to sacrifice parts of ourselves to survive in a place where we are not respected, not represented, or not safe - perceived or real.
I also want to push back on the idea that minorities tend to live in certain enclaves or cities because that is where they feel most comfortable. As a Hispanic, you probably know that black and brown communities were systemically pushed into segregated urban spaces through redlining, housing discrimination, zoning laws, and a lack of access to mortgages etc.. Not because of cultural preference. That is how those racial patterns formed and continue to exist today. And while some people have built beautiful communities within those limits, such as in ritzy Atlanta neighborhoods, for example, it's not historically accurate to simply imply preference.
Yes, everyone should apply only where they would be happy to attend. I completely agree with that as it is sense not to common among applicants.
For people that need to worry about these things, it's tough and unfortunate to have to eliminate potential choices that might fit your needs in other areas.
Again, for some of us, this is not about preference. For some of us, it is about whether we will be respected, supported, or safe for four years. Eliminating a school for those reasons is not 'tough and unfortunate', it is necessary. And like I said before, if you do your research and find that the only schools within reach are in regions where you may feel isolated or unsafe, then as I stated before, fight like hell to increase that MCAT and open up more doors. Because where you train or grow will shape who you are as a physician, and more importantly, as a person. For some of us, that environment may matter more than anything else. But I digress.
