Racist text messages about slavery have caused concern across several states this week. The messages were sent anonymously to Black men, women, students, including middle schoolers, in states like New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The messages varied in wording but generally instructed the recipients to show up at a specific address with their belongings at a particular time.
Authorities like the FBI, the Justice Department, the Federal Communications Commission, and state law enforcement agencies are investigating these messages. High school and college students were among those who received the messages. The Ohio Attorney General’s office is also looking into the matter.
One mother, Tasha Dunham from Lodi, California, shared how her 16-year-old daughter received a message directing her to report to a “plantation” in North Carolina, causing distress and fear within their family. The racially motivated messages have also been sent to middle school students in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and students at universities like Clemson in South Carolina and the University of Alabama.
Historically Black universities like Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, have also been targeted, with messages being described as “deeply unsettling.” The Missouri NAACP President noted that Black students in Missouri received messages citing Trump’s win and mentioning them by name as being selected to pick cotton.
Several civil rights organizations have condemned these messages, highlighting that hate speech has no place in society. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s president, Margaret Huang, emphasized the need to combat such hateful rhetoric. The NAACP’s President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, stressed that these actions are not normal and should not be normalized.
The wireless industry is actively working to block these threatening spam messages, and civil rights laws can be applied to address hate-related incidents. The origins of these messages are being investigated by law enforcement agencies across multiple states.
In a time where racial tensions are high, it is crucial to stand against hate speech and discriminatory actions. The legacy of slavery and racism should not be perpetuated, and efforts must be made to ensure that all individuals can pursue life, liberty, and happiness without fear of discrimination based on their race.
