Federal and state authorities are investigating a disturbing wave of racist, anonymous text messages that have caused widespread alarm among Black Americans across the country. These messages, which have been reported in several states, urge recipients to report to a plantation to “pick cotton,” a deeply offensive reference to the historical enslavement of Black people in the United States.
Messages Spread Across Multiple States, Including Alabama, Virginia, and North Carolina
The offensive texts have been received by individuals in at least 21 states, including Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The recipients, including both adults and students, have reported being targeted by these disturbing messages, which are seen as an intentional provocation in the wake of the recent U.S. presidential election.
At this stage, it remains unclear who is behind the texts, how recipients were selected, or the number of people affected. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirmed on Friday that it is investigating the incidents, alongside other state and federal authorities.
Louisiana Attorney General and FBI Join Investigation
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, has confirmed that her office is investigating the racist text messages. Murrill also shared that she, along with other targets, received similar messages—some of which were sent to personal email accounts.
Murrill, who is white, received one such message at 8:17 a.m. on Friday. The text greeted her with an ethnic slur and stated: “Now that Trump is president, you have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” adding that “Our guys will come get you in a van.”
In response, the FBI acknowledged the offensive nature of the messages, stating that it is “aware of the racist text messages” and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal agencies. “It could be coming from a basement in Baton Rouge or a basement in Bangladesh,” said Murrill, noting the likely intention to provoke emotional reactions following the election. “I urge people to rise above it and not let these malcontents capture any emotional bandwidth.”
Racial Tensions and Alarm Among Black Americans
Monèt Miller, an Atlanta-based publicist, was among those who received one of the texts. After sharing her experience on social media, she was alarmed to discover how many other Black Americans had received similar messages. “To find out that all these African American people are getting it, that was the scariest part about it,” Miller said. “Who is doing that?”
The messages have sparked widespread concern, particularly among Black Americans who already fear a rollback of civil rights protections under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. Many individuals have voiced fears about what they perceive as the potential for increased racial hostility and discrimination under Trump’s presidency, particularly given his controversial rhetoric during the campaign.
NAACP Condemns the Messages as Part of Rising Racism
The NAACP has condemned the racist texts, calling them a part of a broader trend of increasing racist rhetoric in the U.S. “These actions are not normal. And we refuse to let them be normalized,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. He added that the messages are “an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country.”
TextNow Takes Action, Schools Warn Parents and Students
The texts appear to have been distributed using the TextNow messaging app, which allows users to send messages via an internet-based service. The company confirmed that once it was made aware of the situation, it shut down the responsible accounts within an hour. TextNow also stated that the messages were sent across multiple phone carriers nationwide, describing the incident as “an attack.”
In response to the messages, several school districts across the country have issued warnings, urging students and parents to report any similar texts to local authorities or school staff. FBI agents and local law enforcement are working together to trace the origin of the messages and hold those responsible accountable.
Election Aftermath and Rising Political Violence
The racist messages come amid a backdrop of heightened political tension and violence in the U.S. The lead-up to the 2020 election saw a significant rise in political violence, with several incidents of racism directed at supporters of Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate.
Many Black Americans are expressing concerns that the election of Donald Trump, who has faced criticism for making racist and sexist comments throughout his campaign, could signal a setback for civil rights. In the wake of the election, many Black Americans fear that issues such as diversity and inclusion programs may be dismantled, as Trump has pledged to end federal diversity initiatives.
Trump’s Campaign Denies Involvement in the Text Messages
In a statement, Trump’s spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump campaign had “absolutely nothing to do with these text messages.” However, the racist messages have nonetheless fueled concerns about the potential for increased hostility and division as Trump prepares to take office in January 2021.
Continued Investigation and Public Vigilance
As the investigation into the origin of the racist text messages continues, authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any similar messages to local law enforcement. The FBI and other agencies are working together to trace the source of the messages, and the community remains on edge as the investigation unfolds.
