Racist text messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies.

Summary

Racist text messages invoking slavery were anonymously sent to Black individuals across several U.S. states, sparking investigations by the FBI, FCC, and local law enforcement.

The messages, received in states like New York, Alabama, and California, varied in wording but shared a disturbing tone, with some directing recipients to report to specific locations.

Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and Southern Poverty Law Center, condemned the messages, calling them deeply disturbing and perpetuating a legacy of evil.

Wireless providers are working to block the messages, which officials believe could be the work of bots or malicious actors.

    • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      13 days ago

      I think it’s important to point out that this is more terrifying than it looks on the face of it. Think about it for a minute. Mass text messages going out in multiple Municipal areas harassing women of color. This ain’t your grandpappies racists. Your Average bigoted Yokel doesn’t have access to the technology to do that or the information to do that. And seeing as the FBI is on the table to be gutted soon. I don’t expect much from the investigation. And even if something comes out and they try to claim it is a single isolated person with administrator access at one of the major carriers. I would consider them more Patsy than anything. That a company would play fast and loose with that kind of access and data. Is a company that shouldn’t be allowed to exist. This should be a wake-up call to everyone to get their privacy fucking sorted. The Gestapo is watching.