In the wake of the U.S. presidential election, authorities are investigating a troubling surge in racist text messages referencing slavery, “slave catchers,” and “picking cotton.” The anonymous texts have targeted POC across the nation, including young students, raising alarm among civil rights advocates.
PrOvE tRuMp iS RaCiST!
— Sugar Rice and Skittles (@i_shoot_RAWs) November 7, 2024
ONE DAY after the election is over.
African American students are receiving this text. Surely a non-racist party wouldn’t want this right? pic.twitter.com/R6aPChDwYV
“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,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
“These messages underscore a reality we hoped was behind us,” he continued. “This rise in abhorrent rhetoric highlights the resurgence of hate from groups that feel newly empowered to spread fear and division.”
The racist messages are reportedly sent through services like TextNow, which allow users to create accounts and send texts from unrecognized phone numbers. Authorities are working closely with the FBI and local law enforcement to track the sources of these messages. TextNow has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement and has already disabled accounts linked to the hate campaign.
FBI Statement on Offensive and Racist Text Messageshttps://t.co/vpQYAO6LT7 pic.twitter.com/iDtN36WhX4
— FBI (@FBI) November 7, 2024
Reports have come from states like Alabama, where University of Alabama student Alysa received a racist text the day after the election, leaving her shaken. Her mother, Arleta McCall, explained that Alysa’s friends now walk to class in groups to feel safer. In New Jersey, Talaya Jones described the shock of receiving a message inviting her to “pick cotton” at a nearby “plantation.” Similar reports have emerged from Virginia, Louisiana, and New York, with recipients describing feelings of disbelief and fear.
State attorneys general have encouraged individuals who receive these texts to report them immediately. New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed outrage, stating, “These texts are targeting Black and Brown individuals, exploiting personal information like names and locations. This form of intimidation is unacceptable, and we will act to protect New Yorkers from hate. ”This unsettling trend isn’t isolated. Alongside racist messages, there has been a notable uptick in misogynistic rhetoric circulating online, especially in schools and colleges. Influential far-right voices, including white nationalist podcaster Nick Fuentes, have promoted catchphrases like “your body, my choice” as a twisted mockery of women’s rights slogans.
few things more terrifying to me rn than seeing gen z boys increasingly and gleefully commenting “your body, my choice” on young women’s tiktoks
— Rachel Charlene (@RachelCharleneL) November 7, 2024
As someone with some trauma in this department, I'm horrifically saddened by all of the emboldened men on social media right now.
— Cahlaflour (@Cahlaflour) November 7, 2024
Seeing threats like this and "Your body, MY choice" over and over on posts, TikToks, etc…
My heart aches. pic.twitter.com/1WPObmjvcp
This troubling increase in racist and misogynistic messages has fueled concerns that hate groups and influencers are seizing upon polarized political climates to amplify divisive rhetoric. Legal experts urge anyone who feels threatened to contact their local FBI office and law enforcement.
