A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO AFFIRM THE UNEQUIVOCAL OPPOSITION TO RACISM, HATRED, AND DEHUMANIZING RHETORIC IN ANY FORM, FROM ANY SOURCE, AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT OR PUBLIC LIFE AND FURTHER AFFIRM THAT LEADERSHIP CARRIES RESPONSIBILITY, AND THAT THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH PUBLIC INFLUENCE MUST STRIVE TO ELEVATE OUR DISCOURSE RATHER THAN DEGRADE IT, RECOGNIZING THAT WORDS CAN EITHER HEAL OR HARM.

 

Whereas, the United States of America was founded on the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inherent dignity and worth; and

 

Whereas, the history of our nation and of South Carolina includes periods of profound division rooted in racism, discrimination, and hatred which created discord that inflicted lasting harm on individuals, families, and communities; and

 

Whereas, through the sacrifices and moral leadership of countless Americans, including faith leaders, civil rights advocates, public servants, and ordinary citizens, our nation has worked for generations to confront injustice and move closer to its founding ideals; and

 

Whereas, history teaches us that progress toward unity and equality is neither automatic nor guaranteed, and that silence in the face of dehumanizing rhetoric allows division to take root and grow; and

 

Whereas, words spoken by leaders - whether elected officials, public figures, or cultural influencers - carry weight, shape public discourse, and influence whether society moves toward unity or further division; and

 

Whereas, the normalization of racist language, hateful stereotypes, or rhetoric that demeans entire groups of people erodes trust, undermines civic unity, and weakens the moral foundation of our nation; and

 

Whereas, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded our country, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"; and

 

Whereas, love in this context is not weakness, but moral courage - the courage to reject hatred, to speak truth plainly, and to insist that our shared humanity is stronger than our differences; and

 

Whereas, the people of South Carolina, of every race, background, faith, and political affiliation deserve leadership that rejects racism unequivocally and models respect, responsibility, and decency; and

 

Whereas, this commitment is not partisan, ideological, or political, but rooted in common sense, shared values, and the belief that no American should be judged or diminished because of race, ethnicity, or heritage; and

 

Whereas, today and every day is the time to affirm the commitment of the State of South Carolina to reject racism, hatred, and dehumanizing rhetoric in all forms and to call upon public leaders at every level of government to uphold the inherent dignity and equality of every human being. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, affirm their unequivocal opposition to racism, hatred, and dehumanizing rhetoric in any form, from any source, at any level of government or public life and further affirm that leadership carries responsibility, and that those entrusted with public influence must strive to elevate our discourse rather than degrade it, recognizing that words can either heal or harm; and

 

Be it further resolved that this body rejects the idea that racism or hateful rhetoric is inevitable, acceptable, or "just the way things are," and instead asserts that moral clarity, courage, and accountability are always required and calls upon the executive branch, the United States Congress, state governments, and public leaders across the nation to actively discourage, condemn, and dispel statements, actions, or policies that promote racial division, hatred, or discrimination; and

 

Be it further resolved that this body encourages all citizens of South Carolina to recommit themselves to the values of mutual respect, equal dignity, and peaceful dialogue, recognizing that unity does not require uniformity, but it does require decency; and

 

Be it further resolved that this resolution serves as a clear statement that South Carolina will not accept racism or hate as commonplace, excusable, or tolerable, and that our State remains committed to building a future defined not by division, but by shared humanity and common purpose.

 

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