This paper examines the historical background leading to the Supreme Court case of United States vs. Fordice concerning the issue of desegregation in Mississippi's higher education system. The paper focuses on the problems this decision raised regarding eight public colleges that had enrollments and mission statements classifying them as either white or historically black institutions. It reports that compliance with the law may force Mississippi to consider, as educationally justifiable, the closing of institutions in key locations and the impractical merging of institutions that are located hundreds of miles away from each other. The historic successes and continuing contribution of historically black colleges and universities should be documented and stressed in this legal and political fight. If historically black institutions are to be called into question for reasons of desegregation, it is suggested that the existence of other institutions that support some form of exclusivity, such as all male or all female schools and religious schools, must also be questioned. Until then, black universities must continue to build on the success of the underrepresented and serve as social equalizers for the world. (Contains 18 references.) (GLR)