Federal Investigation Launched After Racist Texts Shock Black Americans Nationwide
U.S. federal and state authorities are investigating a series of anonymous, racially offensive text messages that have caused widespread alarm among Black Americans. The messages, sent to individuals across various states, including Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, made deeply offensive references to slavery, urging recipients to report to a “plantation” to pick cotton.
Unknown Source Behind the Disturbing Texts
While it remains unclear who is behind these hateful messages or how recipients were selected, the disturbing nature of the texts has triggered a national investigation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirmed that its enforcement division is actively involved in the probe. Additionally, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill revealed that her office is also investigating, noting that she personally received a similar email on Friday morning with a racial slur.
Murrill, who is white, described the email as disturbing and highlighted that other individuals, including herself, were receiving similar messages via text and email. She mentioned that the FBI is also actively examining the incident.
FBI and FCC Respond to Reports of Hate-Filled Messages
The FBI issued a statement confirming awareness of the racist texts, emphasizing that it is working with the Justice Department and other federal agencies to address the issue. Murrill suggested that the intent behind the messages may be to inflame racial tensions following recent national events. She urged recipients to remain calm and avoid reacting to the hateful messages.
Nationwide Alarm as Black Americans Report Similar Experiences
Publicist Monèt Miller from Atlanta shared her shock on social media after receiving a similar message, only to learn that many other Black Americans had been targeted as well. “The scariest part was discovering how widespread this was,” she said. Miller’s story quickly gained traction, with other Black Americans reporting similar texts that used racial slurs and derogatory language.
Reports indicate that people in at least 21 states, including high school and college students, have been impacted by these messages, according to CNN and the Associated Press.
NAACP Condemns the Surge in Hate Speech
NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the messages, describing them as part of a broader, troubling rise in racist rhetoric. “These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country,” he said, underscoring the civil rights organization’s commitment to advocating for justice and opposing any normalization of such actions.
Concerns of Civil Rights Rollbacks Amid Political Transition
The racist messages have sparked concerns within the Black community regarding potential threats to civil rights following the recent election. Some worry about policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously been criticized for racially insensitive remarks. Trump’s campaign, however, firmly denied any involvement in the text messages. Campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the texts were unrelated to the campaign.
Messaging App Company Takes Swift Action
TextNow, an app that allows anonymous texting, reported that some of the messages were sent through its platform. The company acted quickly, shutting down the responsible accounts within an hour once notified, calling it “an attack” and adding that the texts were distributed through multiple carriers across the country.
Schools and Authorities Issue Warnings
In response to these messages, some school districts have alerted parents and students, urging them to report any similar texts to school officials or local authorities. This national investigation continues as authorities work to identify the individuals responsible for spreading these hateful messages across the country.
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