This week, a wave of anonymous racist text messages invoking slavery sent to Black individuals, including middle school students, has raised alarms across the United States, prompting investigations by federal state agencies. Reports emerged from several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, with recipients receiving messages that varied in wording but shared a disturbing theme.

The messages typically instructed recipients to arrive at specific locations “with your belongings,” while others lacked a location. The FBI is coordinating with the Justice Department as well as the Federal Communications Commission, which is actively investigating alongside local law enforcement. The Ohio Attorney General’s office has also launched an inquiry into the matter.

In Lodi, California, Tasha Dunham shared her alarm after her 16-year-old daughter received a message directing her to report to a so-called “plantation” in North Carolina—a location the family has never visited. The address turned out to be a museum. “It was very disturbing,” Dunham remarked. “Everybody’s just trying to figure out what does this all mean for me? So, I definitely had a lot of fear and concern.”

Middle school students in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, were among those targeted, leading her to express deep concern over the implications of such messages aimed at children. University students from major institutions, including Clemson University and Fisk University and the University of Alabama also reported receiving similar texts. 

Civil rights leaders have condemned the messages, highlighting their harmful nature and suggesting a coordinated effort by a group aiming to instill fear among Black Americans. Nick Ludlum from the CTIA noted that wireless providers are taking steps to block these threatening communications. David Brody from the Digital Justice Initiative estimated the messages have affected individuals in over ten states.

This report utilizes information from the Associated Press.