February 2, 2022 Public Statement

In 2022, bomb threats against college campuses nationwide have increased, including more than 20 such threats against historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) at the launch of Black History Month on February 1. In a world where violence has become common, these threats have devastating consequences for students already struggling with the impacts of structural racism and the added burden of the on-going pandemic.

As an organization committed to anti-racism and to creating a world where inclusion and human dignity are central organizing principles, we stand in solidarity with HBCUs and other campuses who have been targeted.

Around the world, we are seeing a disturbing groundswell of xenophobia, racism, homophobia, transphobia, gender bias and intolerance — including rising anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim acts, and more. Public discourse is being weaponized in ways that stigmatize and dehumanize us. We cannot be silent and must call out these acts of violence, whether physical, threats, or hate speech. O4U commits to our on-going work of helping students and will continue to create safe space and build strong, affirming connections within our community that include, rather than exclude, and we will continue to hold ourselves accountable for our own actions.