FBI Investigates Racist Text Messages Referencing Slavery Sent to Black Students and Adults Across Multiple States, Including Fisk University and Missouri State
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 9:19AM GMT Mon, 11nt November, 2024
Racist text messages invoking the painful history of slavery sparked widespread alarm across the United States this week. Sent to Black men, women, and students, including middle schoolers, these offensive and anonymous messages have prompted investigations by the FBI, state authorities, and various other law enforcement agencies.
The messages, which have surfaced in several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, share a common thread: they invoke slavery in a disturbing and offensive manner. Though the tone of the messages remained similar, the wording and contents varied. In some cases, the messages instructed recipients to “show up at an address with your belongings,” while others simply contained vague and unsettling instructions without specifying a location. Some of the texts even referenced the upcoming presidential administration in a manner that raised further concern.
At this stage, it remains unclear who is behind these malicious communications. No comprehensive list has emerged detailing the full scope of the recipients, but the messages were notably sent to high school and college students, with some being minors. Among the institutions affected, Fisk University, a historically Black university located in Nashville, Tennessee, issued a statement denouncing the hateful texts. The university assured its students that these messages were likely sent by bots or individuals with no genuine intentions, urging calm despite the distressing nature of the messages.
The FBI confirmed that it is in communication with the Justice Department regarding the matter. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation, working in tandem with both federal and state law enforcement to track down the source of these harmful texts. The Ohio Attorney General’s office also expressed its commitment to addressing the situation, signaling a coordinated response across various levels of government.
One particularly troubling aspect of this incident is the direct targeting of Black students. The Missouri chapter of the NAACP reported that some of its members, particularly students at Missouri State University, received text messages referring to Donald Trump’s election win and calling them out by name with phrases such as “selected to pick cotton” next Tuesday. These messages were met with horror, with Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel urging local authorities in Springfield, Missouri, to investigate.
The racial implications of these messages are stark. For many, they serve as a painful reminder of the historical trauma of slavery, a dark chapter in American history that continues to haunt communities across the country. In the context of these troubling messages, authorities are working diligently to determine the origin and intent behind these texts.
As the investigation continues, the nation’s focus remains on how to respond to this disturbing trend and prevent future occurrences of racial harassment through modern communication channels. The widespread fear and anxiety generated by these messages underscore the persistence of racial intolerance and the importance of continued vigilance in the fight against such hateful actions.
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- Racist text messages in the US
- FBI investigates racist texts targeting Black individuals
- Slavery invoked in racist texts
- NAACP responds to racist messages in Missouri
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The FBI and other agencies are investigating racist text messages referencing slavery sent to Black men, women, and students across the US. These alarming messages, targeting multiple states, have raised concerns of racial harassment.
