African Americans Receive Menacing Texts Suggesting Revival of Slavery
African Americans Receive Menacing Texts Suggesting Revival of Slavery
Many individuals of African American origin nationwide have experienced receiving text messages over the past few days, alleging they are now slaves and will be tasked with cotton picking. The disconcerting communications have originated from numerous phone numbers, and it's unclear who's responsible, but it appears they began post-Donald Trump's election victory as the new president.
The messages advise individuals they'll be picking cotton shortly and should prepare accordingly, with slight alterations in the language. One reads: "Greetings, You've been chosen for cotton picking duty at the closest plantation. Be prepared by 5:00 pm est. Executive Slaves will arrive in a black van to collect you. Be prepared to be searched upon entering the plantation. You belong to Plantation Group 4."
Some messages overtly reference Trump.
These messages have reportedly surfaced in Minnesota, Alabama, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, and New York, among others. The mechanism by which the phone numbers of Black people are targeted reman mysteriously unsettled, according to CNN. It's said that the individual/group behind this can utilize TextNow, a popular text messaging platform among scammers.
TextNow has confirmed disabling the accounts associated with sending the threatening messages, though alternative platforms remain readily available for mass-texting operations.
The FBI has acknowledged these offensive and racist messages, addressed to individuals across the nation, and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities concerning this matter.
The FBI urges the public to report any threats of physical violence to local law enforcement entities.
The leader of the NAACP has directly linked these racist messages to Trump's incendiary rhetoric during his presidential campaign. Trump has promulgated revolting conspiracy theories about immigrants and made some of the most racially charged statements of any 21st-century presidential contender.
"The unfortunate reality of electing a president who, historically, has endorsed and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes," NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson told CNN. "These messages represent a distressing increase in vitriolic and abhorrent language from racist groups nationwide, who now feel empowered to disseminate hate and inflame the anxiety many of us feel following Tuesday's election results."
Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election in the early hours of Wednesday, causing legitimate concern about what lies ahead. Trump has pledged to deport millions of immigrants, has hinted at becoming a dictator upon taking office, and has suggested he'll deploy the military against his political adversaries.
Conditions seem set to deteriorate. And although mass texts containing racist messages may be merely the work of psychotic trolls at present, the more insidious elements of Trump's agenda are not merely limited to texts in the immediate future.
The technology used to spread these hateful messages is a concern, as the group behind them appears to have utilized TextNow, a platform known for its usage among scammers. Moreover, as we look towards the future of technology, it's crucial to ensure that such platforms are equipped with robust security measures to prevent misuse and protect users' privacy.
As we move forward, the future of technology should prioritize safeguarding against hate speech and racist messages, ensuring a safe and inclusive digital space for all users.