You're mistaken if you assume that going to Howard means they somehow have less experience with diversity than being in Silicon Valley.
Black people, just by virtue of being a minority in America, are exposed to white people and culture at way higher rates than the reverse. In fact, a major point of going to a historically black college is to get a bit of a "break" from the dominant culture.
Why does one need a "break" from a culture? I'm in India right now, live here 1/3 of the year, and have lived here extensively in the past. I don't need a "break". I don't need some "critical mass" of firangi around me. As a person who is willing to adapt to the world around me, that's all just a bunch of silliness.
From what you say, it sounds as if many Howard students are less willing to adapt. That's fine. But it's pretty clear that for folks who are willing to adapt themselves (e.g., Chinese, Indian and other immigrants to the valley), the valley is quite welcoming.
I hear this sort of thing often enough that I need to reply. In general Asians claim that race or discrimination isn't the issue. That most of the issue falls to education and work ethic unfortunately i've come across quite a few very racist Indians and Asian people to be sure. In-fact not only do they tend to be very racist and large in parcel hold onto stereotypical tropes but they are also very classist.
I say this as a black carribean man married to a chinese woman. It's truly a shame as some of the behavior I've seen meted out shouldn't be coming from these groups.
Black people, just by virtue of being a minority in America, are exposed to white people and culture at way higher rates than the reverse. In fact, a major point of going to a historically black college is to get a bit of a "break" from the dominant culture.