WASHINGTON, D.C. — Racist text messages sent to citizens across the United States have caused an outrage and an ongoing investigation by the FBI just days after the Presidential election.
According to reports, messages sent to primarily Black recipients on November 6 stating they had been "selected for cotton picking" and "anyone who runs away or doesn't show up will be killed" were sent to individuals in multiple states, including Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. Civil rights leaders and law enforcement have condemned the messages.
![Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait34_900x1200/public/2024-11/screenshot2024-11-08at103232am.png?itok=CL9Oybcn "Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.")
Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.
Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, called them part of an "alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric" that continues to harm communities. "This kind of hate speech must be addressed," Johnson said in a statement. "We cannot allow such actions to go unchecked."
The FBI has acknowledged the incident, confirming that it is aware of the racist text messages and is investigating the matter. The agency stated it is in contact with the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal authorities to find those responsible for sending the messages.
The spam messages were sent from phone numbers with area codes from at least 25 different states. By November 7, many of these numbers were disconnected, and others went to voicemail recordings that belonged to TextNow, a free phone number service. Reports state TextNow issued a statement saying it had shut down the accounts used to send the messages and pledged to cooperate fully with the FBI’s investigation.
Using an area code linked to Fort Wayne, Indiana, one individual who sent the messages reportedly told the FBI the text was a "just a prank."
![Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait34_900x1200/public/2024-11/screenshot2024-11-08at103151am_0.png?itok=dkUVO7s0 "Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.")
Text messages stating "You have been selected to pick cotton" sent to primarily black residents across the U.S.
High school and college students were some of the recipients of the messages, as well. Students at universities like Clemson University in South Carolina and the University of Alabama reported receiving the texts, prompting responses from campus authorities. Both institutions condemned the messages and encouraged anyone who received them to report the messages to law enforcement.
In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, six middle school students also received the racist messages. The acting superintendent of the Lower Merion School District confirmed the reports and stated that the district was working with law enforcement to support the students.
The FBI is continuing its investigation into the origin of the text messages. It is not clear who is behind the messages, and the FBI is working to trace the phone numbers' sources and identify the “pranksters” involved in the racist messages.
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