Racist Texts Targeting Black Community Demand ‘Cotton Pickers’
Across the nation, communities of color are grappling with disturbing text messages filled with deeply offensive racial undertones. Numerous law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area have confirmed their awareness and heightened vigilance regarding this issue.
ATLANTA – A growing number of Georgia residents have reached out to FOX 5 Atlanta after receiving harrowing text messages or being informed about a potential threat believed to be linked to white supremacist groups and KKK members.
Notably, one resident, David Williams, recounted an unsettling message: “Greetings, David. You’ve been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation in Atlanta. Be ready at 12 am sharp with your belongings.” This shocking notification left him and others feeling alarmed in the days following the recent election.
Williams, expressing his outrage, stated, “Master Ben asked us to send out this text message. Please be ready, and we won’t be whipped.’ I replied back and said ‘well you better tell Ben I’m not my ancestors. I whip and shoot back.” His steadfast resolve demonstrates that he is not taking these threats lightly.
“I was kind of floored, flabbergasted,” he added, reflecting on his initial reaction to the message.
Despite searching for the number associated with the message, Williams was unable to uncover any information.
Several local law enforcement agencies, including the Atlanta police, are actively monitoring the situation and emphasize the need for community awareness. A teenage girl, who prefers to remain anonymous, expressed her fear after unexpectedly receiving a similar threatening message, stating, “I was scared, and I didn’t know what was going to happen. It was weird because it was out of nowhere.”
Quickly responding to her alarm, she forwarded the message to her mother, who then alerted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and the local school district.
The girl’s mother articulated her distress, saying, “It was shocking to me because with it being 2024 and still hearing things like that. It was just heartbreaking to see someone would send a child something like that.” Many individuals are left wondering who is behind these threatening correspondences.
Williams articulated a desire for justice: “It has to be someone or a team of people sending these messages out. I would love to see whoever is doing this or entity making this happen prosecuted, brought to justice. Whatever.”
Reports indicate that the alarming messages associated with white supremacist and KKK groups began circulating on social media the day before the presidential election, exacerbating concerns among residents.
The latest versions of the text appeared just after the election, alluding to upcoming enslavement but with varied details including differing dates and locations. Note: There appear to be various iterations of this message instructing recipients to report to specific sites for forced labor.
Georgia residents are not the only ones targeted; similar messages have surfaced in other states. In Virginia, as reported by 13 News Now, numerous individuals received identical threatening messages. Moreover, Black college students at institutions such as the University of Alabama and Clemson University in South Carolina have also reported these unsettling communiqués.
The University of Alabama has reportedly launched its own investigation into this disturbing phenomenon.
FOX 5 Atlanta has reached out for further information from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other local law enforcement agencies, who are currently investigating. The GBI stated they were not previously aware of the messages.
In a response issued on Thursday evening, the FBI acknowledged the situation, stating: “The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.” They urged the public to report any threats of physical violence to local authorities as a precaution.
As of now, the identity of those sending these messages or their motivations remain unclear, leading to widespread speculation about the origin of these threats. Some users on Reddit.com have posited the theory that Russian actors might be involved in an attempt to sow discord and division within American society.
Officials in several states, including Georgia, have previously implicated Russia in a series of bomb threats that plagued polling stations on Election Day, further complicating the ongoing investigation.
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**Interview with Community Activist David Williams on Disturbing Racist Text Messages**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, David. Recently, there has been a distressing rise in racist text messages targeting the Black community across various states, including one that you received directly. Can you tell us more about this experience?
**David Williams:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it was alarming to receive such a message. It was a direct threat with a horrific undertone, instructing me to prepare to “pick cotton” at a plantation. It was not just a random prank – it felt very deliberate and linked to a bigger issue of hate that has resurfaced.
**Interviewer:** How did you initially react to this message?
**David Williams:** I was floored, honestly. It left me flabbergasted. My immediate response was to push back and assert that I am not my ancestors, highlighting that we will no longer tolerate such dehumanizing language or threats. It is infuriating, especially in 2024, to see this kind of hatred still exists.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned you tried to track down the source of the message. What were the challenges you faced in that pursuit?
**David Williams:** Unfortunately, I was unable to find any information about the number that sent the message. It’s frustrating because it makes it feel like these individuals or groups can hide behind anonymity while spreading fear.
**Interviewer:** You are advocating for justice regarding these messages. What do you believe needs to happen next?
**David Williams:** I truly hope the law enforcement agencies take this seriously. There needs to be a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators. People behind these threats should face legal consequences. We need to create a safer environment for our community where such acts are no longer tolerated.
**Interviewer:** Many in the community are understandably concerned and fearful. How do you think people can best respond to these threats?
**David Williams:** Awareness is key. It’s vital that individuals inform one another and report any threatening messages to the authorities. Sharing these experiences helps build solidarity and resilience within our community. We need to support each other and speak out against hate.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, David. It’s crucial for our communities to stand together in the face of such hate.
**David Williams:** Thank you for covering this issue. It’s necessary to keep the conversation going to combat these threats. We will not be silenced.
