Black people across the U.S. receive slavery messages after election
Dozens of Black people across the U.S.—including Black men, women and students—received messages on their phones saying racist remarks related to slavery a day after Donald Trump won the presidential election on Wednesday, according to officials in several U.S. states. The messages, which had almost identical language, told the recipients they had been “selected for cotton picking” with some having a signature saying they were a “Trump supporter.”
The texts were received by people in states including Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Ohio, New York and Massachusetts, per a CBS News investigation. The FBI said in a statement they are aware of the messages and are working with state officials to investigate the matter.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the messages and said they represent an "alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric."
"The unfortunate reality of electing a President who, historically has embraced, and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes. These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday's election results.
We've said it before and we'll say it again - there is no place for hate in a democracy. The threat — and the mention of slavery in 2024 — is not only deeply disturbing, but perpetuates a legacy of evil that dates back to before the Jim Crow era, and now seeks to prevent Black Americans from enjoying the same freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.”
A spokesperson for the president-elect told CNN that his “campaign has absolutely nothing to do with these text messages”.