Nationwide Outrage Over Racist Text Messages
Officials across the United States are condemning a wave of racist text messages sent to Black residents in at least 32 states and the District of Columbia. These offensive messages, which began appearing on Wednesday, have sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
The texts contained inflammatory language, instructing recipients to prepare for “cotton picking” or “becoming a slave,” and included specific instructions, times, and dates for “pick-up.” Some messages referenced the recipient’s name or location, heightening concerns about their targeted nature.
FBI and Justice Department Investigating
The FBI confirmed its awareness of the “offensive and racist text messages” and announced ongoing coordination with the Justice Department and other federal agencies. While the origin of the texts remains unclear, the investigation is drawing national attention.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson denounced the messages, calling them a sign of an “alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric” targeting Black Americans.
States Affected by the Racist Messages
The messages were received in states spanning the country, including Georgia, Texas, California, Michigan, and New York. CBS News identified area codes from at least 25 states and the District of Columbia as sources of the texts.
Role of TextNow in the Incident
Some of the phone numbers used in the messages were linked to TextNow, a service that allows users to generate phone numbers for free. By Thursday, several of the offending numbers were disconnected, while others were traced to voicemail accounts.
In a statement, TextNow condemned the misuse of its platform, asserting, “We do not condone the use of our service to send harassing or spam messages and will work with the authorities to prevent these individuals from doing so in the future.” The company also confirmed that it shut down accounts associated with the texts as soon as it became aware of the violation.
Rising Concern Over Digital Harassment
This incident highlights growing concerns over the use of digital platforms to perpetuate harassment and hate speech. Advocacy groups and officials are urging companies and federal agencies to enhance safeguards against such abuse.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify those responsible for the hateful messages. This troubling event underscores the urgency of combating racial hatred and protecting communities from such attacks.
