February is Black History Month. That doesn’t mean that we ignore black history the other 11 months, but during the 2nd month of the year, we pay special attention to the historical contributions of African Americans. There are many ways people who promote this month would surely like to begin the month. That list probably does not include bomb threats.
But that is exactly what happened.
Axios and multiple other sources are reporting that at least 12 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) have received bomb threats on the 1st day of Black History Month.
It was the second day this week and the third in the last month that several HBCUs received such threats. By Tuesday afternoon, the majority of the schools had been searched and cleared and with no bombs found.
The following HBCUs received the threats:
- Howard University
- Alcorn State University
- Coppin State University
- Edward Waters University
- Fort Valley State University
- The University of the District of Columbia
- Morgan State University
- Kentucky State University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Philander Smith College
- Arkansas Baptist College, per the city’s mayor
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Jackson State University
Morgan State University President David K. Wilson said in a statement to the community that he was saddened to confirm that the school had received a bomb threat after being asked by several people “whether this is real.”
“Unfortunately, and sadly, it is,” he lamented. “The campus is being searched building-by-building this morning with our residential halls being searched first.”
As of around 9 a.m., Wilson said nothing had been found as a search continued throughout the campus.
“Morgan is one of the most historical and consequential universities in the nation. Our history has been one where we have endured all kinds of challenges and disruptions, but we have always emerged stronger,” he said.
“My message to you this morning is to stay strong, remain resilient, and continue to prepare yourselves to grow the future and lead the world because our nation and world desperately need more leaders steeped in the values we teach here at Morgan,” he said. “Those values are Leadership, Integrity, Innovation, Diversity, Excellence, and Respect. Hate is not one of them!”
He added that he hoped the “bomb threats to our National Treasure, and to many of our other sister HBCU institutions, will be aggressively investigated by the FBI.”
As of this writing, no suspects have been named investigating the bomb threats and no arrests have been made.
