npr.org
Racist Texts Target Black Students Post-Election
Racist text messages targeting young African Americans post-election are being investigated by multiple authorities.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsUs PoliticsTechnologyGender IssuesInvestigationRacismHate CrimeCivil Rights
Southern Poverty Law Center (Splc)FbiJustice DepartmentSt. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Tishaura JonesVirvus JonesMargaret Huang
- What was the content of the messages?
- The messages, which included threats of forced labor and kidnapping, originated from seemingly local phone numbers but may have an international connection.
- Who received the racist text messages?
- Following a contentious election, numerous Black college and high school students received racist text messages referencing slavery.
- What is the suspected origin of the messages?
- Federal, state, and local authorities, along with civil rights organizations like the SPLC, are investigating the source and distribution of the messages.
- What are the broader implications of this event?
- The incident has sparked outrage and concern, highlighting the persistence of racism and the potential for widespread dissemination of hate speech through technology.
- Which organizations are investigating the incident?
- The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is exploring whether the phone numbers were obtained from a data company, and if so, how that data was utilized.