US probes racist texts invoking slavery after Trump victory

Federal and state authorities are investigating a wave of disturbing text messages targeting Black individuals across the United States, invoking slavery following Donald Trump’s presidential victory.

The messages, reported in over a dozen states including California, Michigan, and New Jersey, vary in wording but commonly tell recipients they’ve been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” sometimes linked to “Trump supporters” or the hashtag #MAGA.

Frances Carmona, a Michigan resident, described her shock when her 15-year-old niece received one such text, which also mentioned being “searched and patted down” at a plantation. “Upset is an understatement… it’s kind of scary,” Carmona said, expressing the fear and confusion sparked by the messages.

The FBI is working with the Justice Department and other agencies to address the threats. “We encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence,” said the FBI. The Federal Communications Commission is also investigating.

Several state attorneys general, including Maryland’s Anthony Brown, have pledged to hold perpetrators accountable, condemning the messages as “horrific” and “unacceptable.” The NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center have joined in denouncing the texts, with NAACP President Derrick Johnson calling the messages a “legacy of evil” and SPLC President Margaret Huang urging leaders to confront and combat anti-Black racism.

Recent reports show that about one-fifth of hate crimes in major US cities target Black people, a troubling statistic that underscores the broader impact of such incidents.