Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The Hilltop

HBCU

HBCUs Nationwide Under Attack After Bomb Threats

14 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation began their Black History Month by waking up to violent bomb threats against their campuses.

Up to 14 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were disrupted this week with bomb threats. Photo courtesy: CNN

14 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation began their Black History Month by waking up to violent bomb threats against their campuses.

On Feb. 1, schools received phone calls detailing the elaborate threats toward their campuses and alerted their faculty, staff and students through various mediums ranging from emails, text messages and campus safety apps. Quincy Hodges, a mass communications professor at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), feels that Xavier handled the threats well and kept the community as conscious of the threats as possible through their text messaging system.

“XULA, as they have in the past [the school received another bomb threat the month prior], followed the proper protocols in place and was in contact with law enforcement from the beginning of the threat,” Hodges said. 

“As a teacher at XULA, I do feel safe and confident that the administration places safety above all else for all faculty, staff, and students. The administration was fast-acting, very communicative and made sure to get the authorities involved to fully assess the situation,” he continued.

On the day the threats were received, schools issued shelter-in-place orders and halted instruction for the day to ensure their safety, even after they announced “all-clear” messaging. Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, was one university that canceled courses and went into lockdown once notified about the threats. Anthony Harris Jr., a senior business major at Rust College, expressed how he believes that it is no coincidence for these attacks to have occurred on the first day of Black History Month, suggesting racist intent.

“I honestly believe it was a mockery to our people and our community,” Harris said.

Similar to Rustin, Kennedy Harrison, a junior political science major at Jackson State University, has strong opinions on the intent of the attack.

“Good publicity, donations, corporation deals, NFL coaches and organizations bringing opportunities have put a target on the back of HBCUs. Our white counterparts have had multiple outcries showing evident frustration because of the success of HBCUs and Black culture,” she explained.

On Feb. 3, the FBI announced that they had identified six juveniles responsible for the threats made against the campuses and that they would be investigating the threats as hate crimes. None of the juveniles have been arrested, nor their age or race disclosed. The investigation is ongoing.

While the identification of the six juveniles brought solace to the HBCU community, it is still disheartening for some, such as Morgan State University sophomore computer science major Mwansa Chiyombwe, to see these attacks take place in the present day. 

“As a university, a lot of us at Morgan State felt disappointed that even in 2022 we are dealing with such racial attacks,” Chiyombwe said. “The sad truth, I feel, is that in this world, we as Black people still don’t receive the respect that we deserve even after all that our people have been put through, and instances like this are just another reminder of that,” he continued.

For now, campuses, such as Howard University, who received threats on both Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, are taking steps to heal their campus and ease the hearts of their students, faculty and alumni one day at a time. On Feb. 4, the school issued a “Mental Health Day,” suspending instruction until Monday, Feb. 6.

Copy edited by: N’dia Webb

Advertisement

You May Also Like

NEWS

Attorneys general filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of non-citizen parents, arguing that it’s “unconstitutional.”

Variety

The horror film “Companion” performed steadily at the box office while opening up a conversation about the developing relationship of technology and humanity in...

SPORTS

The “Battle of the Real H.U.” rivalry has Bison divided on its significance following a one-point loss in overtime to the Hampton University’s men...

CAMPUS

A soon-to-be Howard Law professor was among the 67 victims of last week’s plane crash, of which EMS Chief John Donnelly confirmed no survivors...

NEWS

Some teachers warn that cuts to the Department of Education funding could worsen existing challenges in resource-strapped classrooms, potentially increasing educational disparities for D.C.’s...

NEWS

The Trump Administration’s Jan. 20 executive order calls for an end to antisemitism, threatening to cancel student visas and deport pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Variety

Manuel Oliver transforms his loss into activism, using art, storytelling and emotion to honor his son and challenge America’s gun violence epidemic.

Columns

Trump’s administration’s use of “flooding the zone” to overwhelm the public with rapid policy changes creates confusion and fatigue. How can we resist fear...

CAMPUS

Bestselling author and historian Ibram X. Kendi will leave his role at Boston University to oversee a new research center at Howard.

NEWS

President Donald Trump’s Administration temporarily halted its directive to freeze federal funding but later indicated the freeze will remain in effect. The initial order...

Variety

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s third annual Day of Action shined a light on the work of Fred Gray and his legacy of transformative...

SPORTS

With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, The Hilltop’s sports staff gave their predictions on who will win in football's biggest showdown.

INVESTIGATIVE

In the first three weeks of the spring semester, four crimes were reported near Howard’s campus including a shooting and multiple armed robberies.

Variety

Howard alumna and Empify CEO Ashley M. Fox has garnered notable attention for her investment in financial education inside marginalized communities.

Columns

In a world oversaturated with advertisements, constant exposure shapes consumer preferences and fuels decision fatigue. How does advertising influence us, and how can we...