South Carolina H 5134: Condemnation of Racism

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5134 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 10, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5134

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

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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This web page was last updated on February 10, 2026 at 01:10 PM