Janice R. Andrews
Federal Authorities Look into Racist Texts Targeting Black Americans
A troubling series of racist text messages sent to Black Americans is now under investigation by authorities across the United States. The messages, which contain references to “slave catchers,” plantations, and cotton picking, have raised alarm among recipients and civil rights groups.
FBI and Justice Department Engaged
The FBI issued a statement confirming its awareness of the offensive text messages sent to individuals throughout the country. The agency is working closely with the Justice Department and other federal authorities to trace the origin of these racist messages. While the total number of messages and their source remain unclear, reports indicate the messages were received in at least 15 states and Washington D.C.
Content and Timing of the Texts
The offensive texts began circulating the day after the election, reaching college students and children in different parts of the nation. The messages included instructions telling recipients to report to a “plantation” or wait to be picked up for “slave” labor. Some messages even mentioned the Trump campaign, although campaign spokesman Steven Cheung denied any connection, stating, “The campaign has absolutely nothing to do with these text messages.”
Civil Rights Organizations Respond
Civil rights organizations have strongly condemned the messages. Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, described the texts as a reflection of the disturbing rise in racist rhetoric across the country. “These actions are not normal,” Johnson stated, adding that hate groups now feel emboldened to spread fear and hatred, especially following the recent election.
Jessica Rosenworcel, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), also voiced her concerns, calling the messages “unacceptable” and emphasizing that the targeting of individuals in this way is taken very seriously. The FCC is conducting its own investigation into the origin of the texts.
Widespread Impact and Ongoing Investigations
The messages have been reported in southern states, as well as in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, California, and beyond. Hailey Welch, a student at the University of Alabama, told a student newspaper that several classmates had received similar texts. “At first, I thought it was a joke, but then I realized everyone else was getting them. It was scary because we didn’t know what was going on,” Welch shared.
Law enforcement agencies in various states have encouraged residents to report any similar messages. Nevada’s attorney general has launched an investigation into what seem to be automated “robotexts.” The Louisiana attorney general’s office revealed that some messages appear to have originated from a VPN in Poland, though the original source remains unknown.
As federal and state authorities continue their investigation, they are focused on identifying the perpetrators and taking appropriate legal action against those responsible for these racist messages.
