Federal and state authorities are investigating racist text messages sent to Black individuals across the United States, referencing slavery and making derogatory remarks. The messages, which have been reported in over 20 states, contain hate-filled rhetoric reminiscent of the country's troubled past.
The NAACP has expressed concern over the implications of these messages, attributing them to a rise in hateful rhetoric from racist groups emboldened by recent events. While the origins of the texts remain unclear, efforts are underway to identify the senders.
The Federal Communications Commission and the FBI are involved in the investigation, with the FCC labeling the messages as unacceptable and taking the matter seriously. The FBI is coordinating with other federal authorities to address the issue.
The texts, which appear to be robotext messages, were sent through an anonymizing service, making it challenging to trace their source. The Louisiana Attorney General highlighted the use of anonymizing software to obscure the sender's location.
Authorities in various states have condemned the messages and urged recipients to contact law enforcement if they feel threatened. The texts, which include personal information about the recipients, have targeted individuals of Black and brown descent.
Students at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as major universities, have reported receiving the messages. The impact on recipients, particularly children and young adults, has raised concerns about the psychological effects of such hateful communication.
The racist nature of the texts, which reference slavery and use derogatory language, has sparked outrage and calls for unity against such divisive actions. Efforts are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and prevent further dissemination of these harmful messages.
