News stories from the last two days of bomb threats targeting at least 17 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are a shocking, yet sadly familiar, reminder of the terrible history of violence and bigotry against Black people and the Black cultural institutions in this country.
It is especially disturbing that these threats come at the beginning of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the extraordinary history and courage of Black Americans who have fought, and continue to fight, for racial justice in our country. The HBCUs targeted have a rich history of playing an important role in that struggle.
As a national coalition that proudly counts as partners several of the HBCUs targeted by these despicable threats, the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition stands with the institutions and the students, faculty, and staff whose lives and well-being have been targeted by these threats.
Acts of violence, especially hate-based violence, have no place on college campuses anywhere, and our sympathy and support goes out to those whose lives have been interrupted by these threats.
About the SLSV Coalition
The Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition is the national hub and largest nonpartisan network in the United States dedicated to increasing college student voter participation. The Coalition convenes and connects partners, campuses, and students with each other and with resources and programming towards achieving a vision of ensuring that every student has easy and equal access to participate in every election. They use data, relationships, celebration, and easy-to-follow planning structures, to help campus and local leaders register and turnout more student voters every year. The SLSV Coalition is a project of NEO Philanthropy. NEO Philanthropy is strictly nonpartisan, and does not support or oppose any candidate or party.
