Southern California officials address racist text messages sent to Black students nationwide 

Federal authorities are looking into the source of racist mass text messages sent to Black people – including children – across America this week. 

The anonymously sent hateful messages, which were reported in multiple states, were sent to Black college, high school and middle school students and referenced slavery.  

Many of the texts started with this message (or something similar): “You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” 

The Associated Press reported that the messages "varied somewhat but they all instructed recipients to ‘board a bus’ that would transport them to a ‘plantation’ to work as slaves." 

A North Carolina mother only identified as Nicole said that she was deeply disturbed by the text her daughter showed her Thursday night. 

“You hear about things like this, but you never want your child to have any experience with it,” she said. “Ideally, this wouldn’t be an issue as she grows up...it’s like a slap in the face and shows me that [racism] an issue that has not changed at all.”  

The NAACP condemned the hateful messages and said they represent “an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country.” 

“The unfortunate reality of electing a president who, historically has embraced and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson stated. “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.” 

Students in several local communities, including L.A.’s Brentwood neighborhood, the San Fernando Valley and parts of the Inland Empire, received the texts, causing outrage from students themselves as well as their parents and school staff. 

Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga released a statement addressing the racist messaging, stating that administrators are in communication with law enforcement to monitor the situation. 

“As a campus and community, we will not tolerate the use of racial slurs and culturally insensitive language,” the statement read. 

Several Santa Monica High School students also received the derogatory message; they immediately reported the situation to school administrators. 

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton later referred to the targeting of students with racist messages as “unfathomable.” 

In addition, Santa Monica College put out a statement condemning the messages and offered support for any students who may have received the message. 

“As a reminder, there is no room for racism, unlawful discrimination and harassment at SMC,” the college’s statement read. “We unequivocally condemn the vile, racist rhetoric in these text messages and stand ready to support any students who have been targeted.” 

The racist mass texts come in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. An investigation into the hateful messages is being led by the FBI.