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College Students Targeted by Racist Text Messages: FBI Investigation Underway

Reports indicate that Black college students at various institutions in the United States have recently received threatening racist text messages suggesting they could be enslaved. These incidents have surfaced amid a climate of heightened racial tensions following a contentious presidential election.

FBI Investigation Underway

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating these incidents, which have reportedly occurred in at least a dozen states, including Washington, D.C. Some of the anonymous messages identified have been signed by “A Trump Supporter.” These communications have drawn prompt condemnation from student advocates and civil rights organizations.

Response from the FBI

On November 7, 2024, the FBI stated that it was aware of the “offensive and racist” messages and is collaborating with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, in its investigation.

Notable Incidents

One notable incident, shared on social media, involved a student from the University of Alabama who received a message instructing her to prepare for enslavement, employing language reflective of the historical context of American slavery. The threatening texts mentioned recipients being collected by “Executive Slaves” or “slave catchers” for work on fictitious plantations, contributing to widespread alarm and outrage.

Institutional Acknowledgment

The University of Alabama acknowledged the severity of the situation. A representative described the messages as “disgusting” and noted that they are part of a national trend, urging affected students to seek support from the Office of Student Care and Well-Being. Clemson University also reported that several of its students received similar messages and is cooperating with state officials to determine the origins of the texts.

Communication Service Involvement

Reports have indicated that some of these messages were transmitted via TextNow, an internet-based communication service. The company confirmed that the messages violated its terms of service and took immediate measures to disable the involved accounts while working with law enforcement.

Community Response

The dissemination of these racist texts has caused significant distress within communities. State officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, have condemned the attacks as “disgusting and unacceptable,” noting that the messages specifically target Black and Brown individuals and often contain personal information about the recipients.

Calls for Action

Numerous state attorneys general have echoed these sentiments, encouraging recipients of such messages to report them to law enforcement. NAACP President Derrick Johnson has linked the increase in hate and intimidation to the divisive rhetoric frequently associated with Trump’s political discourse, underscoring the need to resist normalizing such behavior.

Political Reactions

A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign denied any connection to the hateful messages despite ongoing criticism related to the electoral climate.

Looking Ahead

As investigations progress, community leaders and political figures emphasize the necessity of addressing and condemning hate speech and threats, advocating for unity against racism and discrimination in all its forms.

Source: Higher Ed Dive

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