Disturbing reports have emerged across the United States of Black individuals receiving anonymous, racist text messages referencing slavery and instructing them to report to a “plantation” or board a bus, following Donald Trump’s election victory. These messages have been sent in over a dozen states, including California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, causing widespread concern. Some texts even targeted children, with a 16-year-old girl in California receiving a directive to report to a “plantation” in North Carolina.
The FBI, alongside the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is investigating the origin of these hate-filled messages, which were sent via platforms like TextNow. The company has stated they are working with authorities to track down the perpetrators, who reportedly use anonymizing software to hide their location. The nature of the messages, which echo the horrors of slavery, has been condemned by civil rights groups such as the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center, calling them a continuation of harmful racial legacies.
The messages have ignited fear and outrage within Black communities, with many civil rights leaders denouncing the spread of such hate. NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the texts, stating, “There is no place for hate in a democracy,” emphasizing the harm these messages inflict by reminding Black Americans of their painful history. Authorities continue to work together to address the situation and prevent further incidents.
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