Following the recent presidential election, authorities across the U.S. are investigating a wave of racist text messages targeting children, students, and working professionals. These messages, some of which contain references to “slave catchers” and “picking cotton,” reflect painful remnants of America’s racist past, creating deep concerns within communities across over 20 states, from New York to California. Organizations such as the NAACP have issued statements condemning the messages, with CEO Derrick Johnson warning of a potential increase in hate-filled rhetoric encouraged by political events.
The racist messages, reported by students from multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other recipients, appear to be sent through services like TextNow, which offers anonymous communication. Text Now representatives confirmed these texts seem to be part of a coordinated attack, with the company quickly disabling relevant accounts. The messages have alarmed local and federal agencies both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FBI are investigating, recognizing the harmful effects of such attacks on affected communities. Authorities, including New York’s Attorney General, labeled these messages unacceptable, stressing the seriousness of targeting specific racial groups.
“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country.”
Individuals receiving the texts have expressed shock and distress. Talaya Jones from New Jersey described the emotional toll after receiving one of these messages, which referenced her selection to pick cotton and mentioned “executive slave catchers.” Jones shared that she initially thought the message was a prank but later felt profound sadness, especially upon learning that young children were also receiving such messages. “It really just shows that we didn’t come as far as everybody thought we did as a nation,”Jones explained, reflecting on the disturbing reminder of the country’s historical struggles with racism.
The messages have also reached schools, like the University of Alabama, where Black students felt threatened. Alysa, a Black honors freshman, was brought to tears after receiving a message telling her to be ready to pick cotton. Her mother, Arleta McCall, shared that her daughter’s friends have now resorted to walking together for safety. The university released a statement condemning the incidents and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Elsewhere, prominent leaders have reacted. In Louisiana, Attorney General Liz Murrill initiated a full investigation to track down the origins of the messages, noting that some were routed through an email server in Poland. She emphasized that although the technology hides the true origin, authorities are committed to locating the sender. Murrill, who is White, personally received one of the racist messages, which she condemned as racist and divisive, warning that these attempts aim to stir discord among communities.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also condemned the messages as disgusting and unacceptable, pointing out that many contained specific recipient information like names and locations, adding a targeted layer of intimidation. James reassured communities that her office would take a firm stance on these racial threats and urged victims to reach out for support.
In Virginia, a Black photographer received a text from an anonymous sender telling him he had been “selected to pick cotton.” Other states, including Connecticut, reported similar cases. FBI experts noted that the senders of these messages likely compiled specific target lists and added personal details to intensify the messages’ effect. The texts’ contents are concerning because they recall America’s history of racial oppression and the horrors faced by enslaved individuals who endured backbreaking labor, violence, and family separations on plantations, often enforced by slave patrols known as slave catchers.
These racist texts are a disturbing reminder of the enduring legacy of America’s discriminatory past, exposing how racial prejudices can resurface in modern, covert ways. The impact on those targeted, especially young students, underscores a need for ongoing education about racism, historical awareness, and stronger safeguards against modern hate speech and harassment. Federal and state officials remain committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for these reprehensible acts.
