Josiah Severson, a criminology major from Goleta, California, stands out at Langston University—but not just for his Hawaiian button-ups or bleach-blond mullet. Josiah is white, something that surprises many when they first meet him at the historically Black college.
“In Goleta, I had two Black friends,” Josiah said, comparing his hometown to Langston, where he arrived as the would-be quarterback. Despite not being able to play due to a knee injury that required surgery, his smile and down-to-earth charm make people rethink what they expect from a white guy at an HBCU.
He appreciates how welcoming the campus has been. After transferring from UCSB to a junior college in Alabama, where he also played quarterback, Josiah had offers from schools in Florida. Instead he chose Langston.
Another thing that sets Josiah apart is his car—a 1999 Toyota Camry that he drove all the way from California. He says it runs as well as any car from this decade.
However, Josiah hasn’t avoided controversy. A recent social media post during a “white lie” party caused some backlash. For the event, he wore a T-shirt that read, “I’m Black AF” and, in a moment of solidarity, took a knee—a gesture reminiscent of the protests following George Floyd’s death. Josiah believed he was showing support for the Black community, but not everyone agreed. “I thought I was standing with everybody, but I understand now why it might have been offensive,” he said. The post stirred up mixed reactions, sparking conversations about allyship, race, and the boundaries of humor at an HBCU.
Despite his overall positive experience, Josiah admits that he might not recommend Langston to others, particularly to his two younger brothers. “I’ve loved my time here because of the friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had,” he said, “but the campus quality could be better.” He mentions issues like unreliable air conditioning, water outages, and broken laundry facilities. “Plus, you have to be a certain kind of open-minded person to really fit in here as a minority,” Josiah said. “You have to be okay with not always being the center of attention.”
Although his football dreams have taken a detour, Josiah has immersed himself in campus life. He’s a part of Chi Alpha, a Christian fellowship, and stays involved with the football team as a filmer. Despite being in the minority, Josiah feels right at home at Langston, blending into the community while challenging preconceived notions along the way.
Esubiyi Higgins
Staff Writer
Esubiyi Higgins is a Sophomore broadcast journalism major.
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