“[Black people are] already a minority, but it’s like we take a step forward and these people who are against us bring us back. I shouldn’t have to live in fear when I’m just going to get an education.”

These words were spoken by Marian Turner, a student at Spelman College, in a Guardian article regarding the recent terrors that have swept Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Since early January of this year, dozens of bomb threats have been made towards HBCUs throughout the United States. The first threat was made to Xavier University on Jan. 4. Since then, dozens of HBCUs have canceled classes and gone on lockdown. 

Last Monday and Tuesday, there were a total of 20 bomb threats on those two days alone. Of those 20 threats, 14 were made on Tuesday, the first day of Black History Month.

Black History Month is an annual observance that has always sparked anger amongst those who are against it. Many believe the HBCUs were specifically targeted as a retaliation against its observance, giving reason as to why so many threats were made on its first day. These claims have yet to be addressed by law enforcement, however. 

Among the schools threatened last Tuesday were Fort Valley State University, Coppin State University, Spelman College, and Howard University.

Howard University is located in Washington D.C., just over two hours away from EMU’s campus. The threat made to them on Feb. 1 was the third the school had received in under a month. A statement was released from Howard’s President, Wayne A.I. Fredrick, addressing the threats and need for strength during these times of hardship. 

“Now is the time for us to embody the resilience and persistence of our ancestors. We must move forward with our missions, undaunted by the threats of bad actors and strengthened by the examples of excellence set by those who came before us.”

Several people of interest have been identified and are being investigated by the FBI, but no arrests have been made at this time. These threats are also being investigated as racially motivated extremism and hate crimes.  

Though none of the alleged perpetrators have gone through with their threats, the HBCU community is still quite shaken up from what has happened and are fearful of what is possibly to come. Many schools today have reliable security alerts that promptly warn students of threats and lockdowns.