A series of racist text messages, including the chilling line, “You’ve been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” has been sent to Black individuals across the U.S., sparking outrage and fear. The messages, which surfaced the day after the 2024 presidential election, have reached Black people in multiple states, including Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, New York, and South Carolina.
Recipients have described feeling stunned, violated, and deeply alarmed. Talaya Jones from Piscataway, New Jersey, shared her experience with CNN, saying she was shocked to receive a message instructing her to report for “plantation duty” alongside a mention of “executive slave catchers.” “I was in disbelief,” Jones stated, explaining how the message triggered memories of America’s painful history. She shared the text with family, saying it highlighted how much racial tension remains in today’s society.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Corryn G. Freeman received a similar text around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Describing the message to CBS News, Freeman said it evoked anger and fear, especially as a Black woman. After posting about it on Instagram, she discovered that two of her friends’ Black children had received nearly identical texts. “It’s disturbing that children are being exposed to this level of racism over an election they didn’t even participate in,” she added, reflecting on the targeted nature of the texts.
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Another recipient, Devereaux Adams, 27, described feeling “fear and hurt” upon receiving a similar message. Adams voiced confusion over how his contact information had been obtained, stating, “I don’t feel safe at all.”
The FBI has since responded to the disturbing incidents, acknowledging the messages and confirming that they are in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal authorities. In a statement, the FBI encouraged the public to report any similar threats to local law enforcement.
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP, issued a powerful condemnation of the messages on Thursday. He pointed to the election’s outcome as potentially emboldening hate groups. “These texts represent a disturbing rise in the hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric emboldened by those who feel empowered post-election. This rhetoric is stoking fear and anxiety within Black communities,” Johnson said.
