Racist Text Messages Targeting Students and Families Spark Outrage Across Multiple States
In a disturbing trend that has left many feeling shocked and unsettled, several individuals, including children and college students, have reported receiving racist text messages from unknown numbers in recent days. The messages, which have surfaced in states such as Maryland, New Jersey, Alabama, Michigan, and South Carolina, have prompted investigations by local law enforcement and federal agencies, including the FBI.
The FBI confirmed its awareness of the situation, stating, “The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.” They urged the public to report any threats of physical violence to local law enforcement.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, school officials have acknowledged that students have received these troubling messages. They noted that local law enforcement considers the texts to be low-level threats, but the emotional impact on the community is significant. “It’s concerning to see our students targeted in this way,” a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools said.
One recipient, Talaya Jones, a Black woman from Piscataway, New Jersey, expressed her disbelief upon receiving a text that stated she had been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” “I thought it was a joke at first,” she shared. “But it really just shows that we didn’t come as far as everybody thought we did as a nation.” Jones forwarded the message to her loved ones, highlighting the pervasive nature of racism that still exists today.
The unsettling messages have also reached media professionals. Sam Burwell, a photographer for Virginia news station WVEC-TV, received a similar text that addressed him by name. He voiced his concerns about the timing of the message, which arrived just a day after the recent election. “I feel like it’s a spam message, and I do feel disappointed about the message they’re sending a day after the election,” Burwell remarked.
Officials in Washington, D.C., and Virginia are actively investigating the source of these messages, and CNN has reached out to the Federal Communications Commission for further comment. The widespread nature of these texts has raised alarms about the potential for hate-driven harassment and the need for stronger protections against such acts.
As communities grapple with the implications of these messages, many are calling for a united front against racism and hate speech. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the work that still lies ahead in fostering understanding and respect among all individuals, regardless of their background.
