Federal investigators are currently examining a series of offensive text messages sent to cellphone numbers across the United States this week. These messages, which employed slavery imagery, informed recipients — including school-aged children and college students — that a van would transport them to a plantation. The texts predominantly targeted Black recipients, though the FBI Probe remains unclear how the numbers were obtained or if non-Black individuals were also contacted.
One recipient shared with news reporters that she received a message stating she was “selected to pick cotton.” The text read: “Greetings, You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready at 12PM SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Black Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve entered the plantation. You are in Plantation Group S.”
A woman named Jeanette, who requested anonymity, described the texts as “worrisome.” She mentioned that her friends and family had also received similar messages, some of which included the recipients’ names. “Some messages included people’s personal names,” Jeanette said. “Some messages just started out with a greeting saying that people will be enslaved and that there will be a bus coming to pick up people. How did you get my number and how do I defend and how do I protect myself and what is going to be done about this?”
Another recipient, Maya, told news reporters that she received a racist text and was deeply disturbed by its content. “I haven’t really experienced racism like that in my face,” she said. “Getting called those types of names, like I didn’t know really what to say. It really hurt my heart. It hurt my feelings, and it also made me scared as well.”
The FBI confirmed the existence of these text messages in a public statement and announced that the incidents are under investigation. “The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter,” the agency stated. “As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also addressed the issue, emphasizing the seriousness of such targeting. “These messages are unacceptable,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated. The FCC assured the public that it is taking this matter very seriously and is working to address the situation. When the FBI Probe is completed, the authorities will give a full report.