Several federal and state agencies, including the FBI, are investigating racist mass text messages that were sent to black people across the United States following the recent presidential election. The messages invoked slavery and were sent to black men, women, and children in states such as New York, Alabama, California, and others. The FCC, along with federal and state law enforcement, is actively looking into these incidents as they are considered unacceptable and a serious form of targeting that should not be tolerated.
The messages instructed recipients to “board a bus” to a plantation to work as slaves. School-aged children and college students were among those who received these distressing messages. The sender used a VPN to obscure their origin, making it more difficult for law enforcement to trace the source of the texts. Officials in states like Maryland and Louisiana have received multiple reports of such racist messages, prompting investigations and calls for recipients to report them to local law enforcement. Children were particularly impacted by these messages, causing significant distress and discomfort among recipients.
Phone service provider TextNow revealed that their accounts were used to send the racist text messages and promptly disabled those accounts for violating their terms of service. Other major carriers, like AT&T and Verizon, acknowledged the industry-wide problem and referred to a wireless communications trade association for further information. The U.S. wireless industry collectively blocked thousands of these texts and is working with law enforcement to investigate the prevalence and source of these messages. It is seen as a threatening use of technology that likely violates multiple laws, prompting the need for a thorough investigation to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Nicole, a mother in North Carolina, recounted her daughter’s experience of receiving a racist text message that instructed her to go back to the plantation. This was her daughter’s first significant encounter with racism, prompting a conversation about the persistence of such issues in society. Many historically black college students also received similar messages, indicating a deliberate targeting of young black individuals. Dr. Robert Greene II, a history professor, observed that the timing of these messages is intentional and aims to remind black students of the racist intimidation prevalent in society.
These incidents underline the ongoing challenges faced by black people in the United States and highlight the need for continued efforts to address racism and discrimination. The shared response from federal and state agencies to investigate these mass text messages demonstrates a commitment to holding those responsible accountable for their actions. Parents and educational institutions also play a crucial role in responding to these incidents and supporting those impacted, particularly young children and students. The widespread condemnation of these racist messages serves as a reminder of the importance of combating hate and promoting equality in society.
