The document discusses the concept of double consciousness as proposed by W.E.B. Du Bois, which refers to the divided identity that African Americans may feel from not being able to fully combine their African heritage with their American identity. It argues that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) can help address this issue by allowing students to further their education while gaining a better understanding of their history and bonding with other black students. The author decides to attend Virginia Union University, an HBCU, for these reasons. HBCUs emerged after the Civil War to educate African Americans and debate continued around the type of education they should receive.