SR69

A Senate Resolution urging Congress to pass a resolution condemning violence against historically Black colleges and universities.

Whereas, In January and February of 2022, at least 30 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were the targets of bomb threats; and

Whereas, On February 7, 2022, House Concurrent Resolution 70 was introduced in the United States House of Representatives condemning the violence and threats of violence against HBCUs; and

Whereas, HBCUs were established throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in response to discriminatory practices that prevented Black Americans from pursuing higher education; and

Whereas, Quality higher educational opportunities are central to economic prosperity and social well-being in the United States, and dedicated educational opportunities for Black Americans are critical to the pursuit of economic and social equality for Black Americans; and

Whereas, HBCUs are a symbol of independence and resilience for the Black community and provide important opportunities to uplift Black Americans; and

Whereas, In 2020, enrollment at HBCUs totaled more than 275,000 students, and HBCUs continuously produce a significant share of the country’s Black leaders, innovators and artists, including Vice President Kamala Harris, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Toni Morrison; and

Whereas, Bombings were a common tactic during the Civil Rights Movement to terrorize Black institutions and members of the Black community; and

Whereas, The bomb threats against HBCUs in the initial months of 2022 have disrupted campus environments, obstructed educational opportunities, increased anxiety, and instilled fear in students, faculty, and staff; and

Whereas, In 2019, among single-bias hate crime incidents in the United States, 57.6 percent of victims were targeted due to racial, ethnic, or ancestry bias, and among those victims, 48.5 percent were victims of crimes motivated by the offenders’ anti-Black or anti-African-American bias, according to the FBI; and

Whereas, The United States has a duty to protect citizens targeted by race-related hate crimes and prevent the continued perpetration of these crimes; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the United States Congress to pass House Concurrent Resolution 70 and thereby vociferously condemn the threats of violence against HBCUs; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House supports, and respectfully urges the United States Congress to pass, House Concurrent Resolution 70, condemning the violence against historically Black colleges and universities and reaffirming the commitment of the federal government to combat violence against students, faculty, and staff at historically Black colleges and universities.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.

STATEMENT

This resolution supports House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 70, which condemns the recent threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and urges Congress to pass the resolution.

HBCUs were created throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to provide higher educational opportunities to Black Americans in a time when discriminatory practices often prevented Black Americans from pursuing higher education at other institutions. HBCUs are a symbol of independence and resilience for the Black community and continue to play an important role in the education of Black Americans, as well as other minority and marginalized communities. In 2020, enrollment at HBCUs totaled more than 275,000 students, and HBCUs continuously produce a significant share of the country’s Black leaders, innovators and artists, including Vice President Kamala Harris, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Toni Morrison.

In January and February of 2022, at least 30 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Howard University and Spellman College, which received the threats on multiple occasions. Historically, bombings were a common tactic used during the Civil Rights Movement to target Black institutions and terrorize members of the Black community, and resulted in significant loss of life. The recent bomb threats recall the bombings of the Civil Rights Movement and seek to instill fear and anxiety in the students, faculty, and staff of HBCUs. These bomb threats increase anxiety, jeopardize the educational environment, and obstruct educational opportunities.

The United States has a responsibility to protect citizens targeted by race-related hate crimes and to prevent the continued perpetration of these crimes. On February 7, 2022, the United States House of Representatives introduced HCR 70, condemning the threats of violence against HBCUs and reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to combat violence against students, faculty, and staff of HBCUs. The Senate of the State of New Jersey supports this resolution and urges Congress to pass HCR 70.