Racist text messages referencing slavery were sent anonymously to Black Americans across the nation. Some groups who have reported receiving the messages are middle schools, high schools, and college students, but messages were sent to various black people of all age groups.
Some texts told recipients they were “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” Others instructed the recipient to show up at an address at a particular time “with your belongings,” while others didn’t include a location at all. Some messages even mentioned the incoming presidential administration according to the Associated Press.
Following the influx of racist messages being received by Black students, some said they know someone who’s received one.
“It was on her story, and it said something along the lines of, ‘You have been selected to pick cotton at Plantation B,’” said Emira Wideman, a third-year biochemistry major and NAACP chapter member, who felt scared for her friend because she knows terrible things still happen to black people in certain towns.
States like New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, reported having similar messages sent to them. Many of these states have a significant Black population, per the Pew Research Center.
“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday's election results,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, in a Press Statement on Nov. 7.
Some students have expressed their beliefs on why the messages are being sent and if there’s any relation to the recent Presidential Election.
“I believe it is racists, most likely teens, who support Donald Trump and feel empowered in their racism due to the hateful rhetoric he spews,” said Brianna Lane, a second-year pre-nursing major, National Council of Negro Women section member, and NAACP chapter member.
It is unknown who is responsible for sending the messages and what motivated them, but the FBI is investigating the situation. Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has said they were investigating the texts “alongside federal and state law enforcement.”
It is still unclear how the senders obtained the phone numbers of numerous Black people, knew their names, and their locations.
“Racists are often cowards and without someone making them feel safe to spread their hatred they will keep it to themselves or small minded individuals like themselves," said Lane, "When they see others in positions of power or public figures normalizing or excusing such behavior, they feel more comfortable spreading hate."
Whether the senders are internet trolls playing a racist prank on Black people in America, many students believe this isn’t a laughing matter.
“Slavery is never a good thing to joke about,” said Wideman.
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