Condemnation of Racism

2025-2026 Bill 5134: Condemnation of Racism - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5134
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. Martin
Document Path: LC-0285HA-KAR26.docx
Introduced in the House on February 10, 2026
Currently residing in the House Committee on
Invitations and Memorial Resolutions
Summary: Condemnation of Racism
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

2/10/2026

House

Introduced (
House Journal-page 7
)

2/10/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Invitations and Memorial Resolutions
(
House Journal-page 7
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
02/10/2026

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.

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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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

W
hereas, 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,

B
e it resolved by the House
of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

T
hat 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

B
e 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

B
e 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

B
e 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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This web page was last updated on February 10, 2026 at 1:10 PM