Nov 8, 2024 Story by: Editor
Authorities have launched an investigation into racist text messages sent to Black Americans nationwide, which stated recipients had been “selected to pick cotton.”
“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,” the FBI stated on Thursday.
The agency also emphasized, “As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
The message’s circulation began on social media, where users shared screenshots of the text. Although the exact wording varied slightly, the messages carried the same threatening tone.
One message read, “You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” according to a recipient who shared it on social media. It continued, “Be ready at 1:00 pm SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve entered the plantation. You are in Plantation Group C. good day.”
Reports indicate that the anonymous messages were sent to Black Americans in multiple states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Both high school and college students were reportedly among the recipients.
The NAACP condemned the messages on Thursday, with President and CEO Derrick Johnson linking them to the impact of President-elect Trump’s rhetoric, stating that Trump has “embraced, and at times encouraged hate.”
“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday’s election results,” Johnson remarked.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – there is no place for hate in a democracy. The threat — and the mention of slavery in 2024 — is not only deeply disturbing, but perpetuates a legacy of evil that dates back to before the Jim Crow era, and now seeks to prevent Black Americans from enjoying the same freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.”
Johnson further stated that racism in any form should not be normalized, asserting, “Freedom is on the horizon, and we won’t be fear mongered out of the future we deserve.” Source: The Hill
