Racist Texts Target Black Americans Nationwide

In recent days, numerous reports have emerged of racist spam text messages directed at Black Americans, particularly affecting individuals in Ohio. These messages convey horrifying content, claiming recipients have been selected for enslavement and demanding they work on cotton plantations. The distressing reports have circulated widely on social media, prompting outrage and concern within affected communities. Educational institutions, such as Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College, have confirmed that their students have received these hateful communications, leading them to report the incidents to relevant authorities. The tactics used in these messages often involve spoofing, where the sender’s information is masked to appear local or familiar. Many text messages are allegedly sent from phone numbers with Ohio area codes, but investigations reveal that some of these numbers are landlines, which lack the capability to send texts. This raises suspicion regarding the true origins of these messages. Leaders from civil rights organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, have condemned the actions as a disgraceful act of racism and emphasized the importance of confronting such incidents. Local community figures, such as Columbus NAACP President Nana Watson, characterized these messages as a hate crime and indicative of a rise in white supremacy, particularly following the recent national elections. The emotional toll on the affected individuals, especially young students, highlights the urgent need for action against such hateful behaviors and an increased commitment to racial justice. As authorities investigate the source of these menacing texts, the urgency of communal support and action to denounce anti-Black racism becomes clear.