Supporting the Passage of Federal Anti-Black American Hate Crime Bill Supporting Protections for Black Americans

WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP) stands in solidarity with the Black community in recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to address the alarmingly high rates of hate crimes targeting Black Americans; and 

WHEREAS, Hate crimes are defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a "criminal offense which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias(es) against a person based on race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity." (See 18 U.S.C. § 249.); and 

WHEREAS, Since the end of Reconstruction in 1875, Black American descendants of the institution of slavery have endured various campaigns of terrorism and hatred. The historical injustices and systemic racism that have plagued the United States have left a deep and lasting impact on Black communities, from the horrors of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and convict leasing, to the brutalities of lynching and massacres like the tragic events of Tulsa's Black Wall Street. As a result, Anti-Black American hate crimes have come in many forms, including but not limited to, cross burnings, the burning of Black churches, and physical violence associated with vigilante justice; and 

WHEREAS, The book "The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein details the history of government policies that enforced racial segregation in housing, particularly focusing on the practice of redlining. Redlining was a discriminatory practice where government agencies and banks denied loans and other financial services to Black Americans based on race or the racial composition of their neighborhoods; and 

WHEREAS, These racially discriminatory policies were not just accidental or the result of individual prejudice but were intentionally designed and implemented by the government to segregate communities along racial lines. This led to the creation of racially segregated neighborhoods with limited resources and opportunities for Black Americans, perpetuating economic and social disparities; and 

WHEREAS, The stigmatization and marginalization of Black Americans caused by redlining and many other discriminatory practices reinforced negative stereotypes and perceptions about the Black community. By systematically denying Black Americans access to quality housing and economic opportunities, the government incentivized the devaluation of Black lives and the perpetuation of racial inequalities; and 

WHEREAS, This systemic discrimination and segregation not only limited the upward mobility and well-being of Black Americans but also created an environment where they were more vulnerable to hate crimes and violence. The lack of investment in Black communities, coupled with the perpetuation of stereotypes and biases, further marginalized Black Americans and made them targets for discrimination violence; and 

WHEREAS, The government's actions of redlining Black Americans not only perpetuated racial segregation and economic disparities but also contributed to the stigmatization and targeting of Black Americans for hate crimes, reinforcing harmful narratives of inferiority and dehumanization; and 

WHEREAS, FBI statistics reveal a disturbing trend, with Black Americans being significantly the most targeted group for hate crimes, as evidenced by the staggering number of approximately 3424 reported incidents in 2022, a figure that is multitudes higher than those reported against Asian Americans, Latino Americans, and Jewish Americans; and 

WHEREAS, The need for robust Anti-Black hate crime legislation and an executive action in 2024 is paramount, echoing the calls for justice and protection that have been championed through landmark legislation such as the Asian Hate Crime Bill of 2021 and the anti-lynching legislation of 2022. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP unequivocally urges Congress to take swift and decisive action in passing comprehensive legislation and the President to issue an Executive Action such as a Presidential Memorandum that specifically addresses and combats hate crimes targeting Black Americans, providing essential protections and avenues for justice for communities that have endured centuries of marginalization and violence. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP State Conferences and Units within states that do not have adequate Anti-Black Hate Crime Laws Mobilize, Urge, and Advocate for Anti-Black Hate Crime Bills within their state. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP commits to actively advocating for the passage of the Anti-Black American Hate Crime Bill, mobilizing its resources and networks to ensure that the voices and concerns of Black Americans are heard and prioritized in the fight against hate crimes.