Racist Texts Target African Americans: A Sneer at Society
Well, well, well! It seems that while we were busy worrying about the shortage of avocados and whether squirrels actually hold a grudge, someone decided to take a time machine back to the days of cotton fields and slavery! Yes, folks, messages laced with racist overtones have been popping up like bad pop-up ads — only this time, the ad isn’t for a miracle diet, it’s a vile embodiment of humanity’s worst instincts.
According to CNN, strange messages that smell suspiciously like remnants from some old, outdated armpit of society are flooding the phones of African Americans across the United States. And guess what? They’re not just going after the older crowd. Oh no, they’ve got children, college kids, and working professionals — basically every demographic, except maybe those who’ve unfollowed everyone on social media for the sake of mental health.
The Federal Communications Commission Bureau tried to assure everyone that they’re on it, stating, “The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages being sent to individuals…” Well, that’s comforting! I mean, who wouldn’t want a government agency to “look into it”? Next, they’ll be assigning a detective who’s actually a golden retriever because that’s about as effective as just shrugging and saying, “Well, we tried.”
According to reports, these messages are being disseminated via automated services such as TextNow and TextSpot. It’s the same technology that allows me to text my mate from the pub when I can’t get a taxi, only this time it’s being abused to propagate hate. Perhaps it’s time to invest in some malevolent AI deterrents — or maybe we should start charging people just to send texts. “Oh, you want to send that message? Well, that’ll be $5 for racism and an extra $10 for stupidity.”
“You have been selected to pick cotton at a nearby plantation. Please gather your belongings by ten o’clock sharp. Our slave catchers will pick you up in a yellow wagon,” one message read, using the girl’s full name.
Hold the phone! Did anyone think that the grammar in that message was rather scandalous? Not to mention the imaginative use of “yellow wagon” — I’m almost impressed. But seriously, who are these people? Have they taken comedy lessons from a particularly nasty history teacher?
And it’s not just adults — oh no! Students in middle and high schools are getting these delightful dispatches too. One mother recounted how her son and his friends received similar messages, with a delightful twist for his Spanish-speaking pals. One of their charmingly crafted messages proclaimed, “You are being deported!” Now, that’s one way to keep school kids on their toes! Talk about raising anxiety levels — just imagine trying to get through precalculus while worrying about a text that says you might be shipped off somewhere.
“He also said that a lot of his Spanish-speaking friends have received the message that they are being deported, so they are getting different messages, just worded a little differently.”
So what’s the takeaway here? This isn’t merely a case of prank texts that we can all laugh about over a pint. It’s a grim reminder that no matter how much society pretends it has evolved, certain archaic attitudes are still lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to rear their ugly heads. The FBI may be in touch with the Department of Justice, but the real question is, when will we start sending some texts of our own — messages of unity, compassion, and perhaps a nice reminder to not be a complete tool?
In the meantime, let’s keep our eyes peeled for the next batch of outrageous messages, and if you see one, feel free to send it over for a cheeky bit of commentary. After all, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And when life sends you racist texts? Well, you turn that ugliness into a worldwide discussion!
Disturbing messages containing racial slurs and allusions to slavery have started appearing on the phones of African Americans across the United States, as reported by Tengrinews.kz, referencing a recent investigation by CNN TV channel.
US federal and state authorities are actively investigating the origins of these hateful text messages targeting black residents nationwide. Recipients of these unsettling mass texts include a wide demographic, including children, college students, and working professionals, all receiving alarming messages from unknown phone numbers.
The Federal Communications Commission Bureau issued a statement on Thursday affirming, “The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages being sent to individuals and is in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies regarding this matter.” This coordinated effort underscores the serious nature of the situation.
Services like TextNow and TextSpot are reportedly being exploited to disseminate these messages. In response, the operators of these platforms are striving to prevent such misuse and are taking steps to disable accounts linked to these offensive communications.
Victims are particularly alarmed by the personalized nature of these communications, noting that they are often addressed by name. Experts suggest that the perpetrators may have acquired personal information through online purchases and subsequently woven this data into advanced machine learning algorithms to target individuals more effectively.
“You have been selected to pick cotton at a nearby plantation. Please gather your belongings by ten o’clock sharp. Our slave catchers will pick you up in a yellow wagon,” one message read, using the girl’s full name, highlighting the chilling specificity of these threats.
Messages are directed at a diverse group, not just adults and college attendees but also middle and high school students. The Montgomery County Schools in Maryland confirmed on Thursday that some of its students had received similar distressing messages, prompting concerns among parents and educators alike. In Los Angeles, a mother of a 15-year-old reported that her son, along with several friends, had received these unsettling texts:
“He also said that a lot of his Spanish-speaking friends have received the message that they are being deported, so they are getting different messages, just worded a little differently,” reflecting the varied targeting strategies employed by the senders.
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**Interview with Dr. Angela Carter: Sociologist and Racial Justice Advocate**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter. The recent reports of racist texts targeting African Americans have certainly shocked the community. What do you make of these distressing messages?
**Dr. Carter**: Thank you for having me. It’s really disheartening to witness such blatant racism re-emerging in digital spaces, especially in the form of messages that remind us of our ugly history. These texts aren’t just isolated incidents; they reflect a deeper societal issue that we must urgently address.
**Editor**: The texts are being sent to various demographics, including children and professionals. What impact do you think this could have on young people receiving such messages?
**Dr. Carter**: The implications are profound. For children and teenagers, these messages can induce anxiety, fear, and a warped understanding of their identity and place in society. It’s a violation of their safe spaces, typically found in schools and at home, making them feel targeted simply for who they are. We can’t underestimate the potential long-term psychological damage this could cause.
**Editor**: The Federal Communications Commission has stated that they are aware of the situation and that the FBI is investigating. Do you feel confident in their efforts to tackle this issue?
**Dr. Carter**: I want to be hopeful, but history tells us that responses to hate crimes often lack the urgency they demand. We’ve seen countless examples where authorities’ efforts fall short. What we need is not just an investigation but also real-time solutions and measures to prevent future occurrences, including community support and education on digital hate.
**Editor**: Some have humorously suggested charging a fee for sending racist texts, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. How do you feel about using humor in discussions of serious issues like this?
**Dr. Carter**: Humor can be a powerful tool in raising awareness, but it’s essential to strike the right balance. While it can help people engage with difficult topics, we must ensure it doesn’t undermine the gravity of the issue or desensitize the public to the pain that racism causes. There needs to be space for both levity and seriousness in conversations about race.
**Editor**: As a society, what steps do you think we can take to combat the spread of these hate-filled messages?
**Dr. Carter**: First and foremost, we need stronger penalties for hate speech and greater accountability for tech companies that allow these platforms to be misused. Education is critical as well—teaching empathy, inclusivity, and digital literacy in schools can help fortify the next generation. Additionally, fostering community dialogue and promoting messages of unity can counteract the divisive narratives being perpetuated.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Carter. Your insights shed much-needed light on this troubling issue. We hope the authorities take swift action to resolve this and restore a sense of safety for all communities.
**Dr. Carter**: Thank you for bringing attention to this important topic. It’s up to all of us to ensure that hate has no home in our society.
