In an era when truth itself feels negotiable, HBCU libraries have become the quiet battlegrounds of a larger war over knowledge and power. As public libraries face censorship, defunding, and political interference, these institutions—long the custodians of African America’s intellectual heritage—may be the last line of defense between ignorance and empowerment. Private HBCU libraries, with the right public support, could emerge as fortified centers for civic resistance and collective education, while public HBCU libraries must prepare to defend their autonomy and archives from political intrusion. The fight is no longer just about books or budgets—it is about who gets to define reality. In that fight, every preserved manuscript, every digitized archive, and every open reading room becomes an act of survival. Continue reading →