Authorities Investigate 'Racist Text Messages' Targeting Black Americans, NAACP Blames Trump's Victory
Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, introduces US President Joe
Biden (off frame) at the 115th National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) National Convention in in Las Vegas, Nevada,
on July 16, 2024.
Federal authorities have begun
investigating the origins of racist text messages that have been sent to
Black Americans throughout the U.S. The disturbing texts falsely
informed people of color that they 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. “As always, we encourage members of the public to report
threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
Word of the racist messages quickly went viral on social media after
multiple users uploaded screenshots of similar messages they recently
received.
“You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be
ready at 1:00pm SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will
come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve
enter the plantation. You are in Plantation Group C. good day,” one of
the messages posted to X read.
Derrick Johnson, the NAACP president, seemingly blamed
President-elect Donald Trump for “emboldening” racist groups after his
decisive victory on Tuesday.
“The unfortunate reality of electing a President who, historically
has embraced, and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our
eyes. 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 wrote in a
Thursday statement.
“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 added.
Social media users have theorized that the messages were apart of a
left-wing group’s effort to sow racial division and scare Black
Americans into thinking that Trump’s presidency will unleash a wave of
racism and violence towards people of color, a common Democrat talking
point.
Soon after, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt responded to the
accusatory language, asserting that Trump’s “campaign has absolutely
nothing to do with these text messages.”
It is currently unclear who sent the anonymous messages, although the
messages were sent through TextNow, an anonymous message sharing
platform. Meanwhile, the company announced that they “believe(s) … [it]
is a widespread, coordinated attack.”
“As soon as we became aware, our Trust & Safety team acted
quickly, rapidly disabling the related accounts in less than an hour,”
the company added.
Talaya Jones, a Black resident of Piscataway, New Jersey, stated that she initially thought the messages were “like a joke.”
“It became sadness when I realized that young people were getting it,
like elementary schoolers and middle schoolers,” Jones continued. “Why
would you want to intentionally hurt somebody that you don’t even know?”
“You don’t feel safe in anything that you do, because you don’t know
who’s doing it. You don’t know how far they’ll take it,” she added.
The texts have been reportedly sent to Black individuals in over 20
states, including Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Tennessee.
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Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, introduces US President Joe
Biden (off frame) at the 115th National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) National Convention in in Las Vegas, Nevada,
on July 16, 2024.
Federal authorities have begun
investigating the origins of racist text messages that have been sent to
Black Americans throughout the U.S. The disturbing texts falsely
informed people of color that they 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. “As always, we encourage members of the public to report
threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
Word of the racist messages quickly went viral on social media after
multiple users uploaded screenshots of similar messages they recently
received.
“You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be
ready at 1:00pm SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will
come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve
enter the plantation. You are in Plantation Group C. good day,” one of
the messages posted to X read.
Derrick Johnson, the NAACP president, seemingly blamed
President-elect Donald Trump for “emboldening” racist groups after his
decisive victory on Tuesday.
“The unfortunate reality of electing a President who, historically
has embraced, and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our
eyes. 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 wrote in a
Thursday statement.
“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 added.
Social media users have theorized that the messages were apart of a
left-wing group’s effort to sow racial division and scare Black
Americans into thinking that Trump’s presidency will unleash a wave of
racism and violence towards people of color, a common Democrat talking
point.
Soon after, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt responded to the
accusatory language, asserting that Trump’s “campaign has absolutely
nothing to do with these text messages.”
It is currently unclear who sent the anonymous messages, although the
messages were sent through TextNow, an anonymous message sharing
platform. Meanwhile, the company announced that they “believe(s) … [it]
is a widespread, coordinated attack.”
“As soon as we became aware, our Trust & Safety team acted
quickly, rapidly disabling the related accounts in less than an hour,”
the company added.
Talaya Jones, a Black resident of Piscataway, New Jersey, stated that she initially thought the messages were “like a joke.”
“It became sadness when I realized that young people were getting it,
like elementary schoolers and middle schoolers,” Jones continued. “Why
would you want to intentionally hurt somebody that you don’t even know?”
“You don’t feel safe in anything that you do, because you don’t know
who’s doing it. You don’t know how far they’ll take it,” she added.
The texts have been reportedly sent to Black individuals in over 20
states, including Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Tennessee.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
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