Officials condemn racist text messages sent to Black residents in at least 20 states
Officials and universities in a growing number of U.S. states are condemning racist text messages that were sent to Black residents this week. The messages, which began appearing Wednesday, were received by people in at least 20 states and the District of Columbia, CBS News has found.
There were a number of variations of the messages using similar language, telling the recipient they had been “selected for cotton picking” or to become “a slave.” All of the texts included instructions, times and dates to “be ready” and references to being picked up in a van. Some included the recipient’s name or general location, according to people who received the texts and screenshots reviewed by CBS News.
In a statement, the FBI said it was aware of “the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country” and said it is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the messages and said they represent an “alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric.”
Read in CBS News
