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Simon Thanh Vuong • January 15, 2025

Just when many believed the turbulence from one of the most contentious United States’ presidential elections in recent history was over, a wave of anonymous, derogatory text messages targeting Black and Hispanic students was sent out across the nation (Reuters). Reported in 21 different states, including California, New York, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, the messages varied in wording, yet all shared the same harmful rhetoric, perpetuating racial stereotypes in their references to slavery (PBS News). Students were addressed by their names, told that they were “selected to pick cotton” on a plantation, then ordered to follow the time schedule set by their “slave handlers” (The New York Times). According to David Brody, the director of the Digital Justice Initiative at The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the origins of these messages remain unclear – demonstrating the difficulties that come with regulating hateful communication in the digital age as the advent of new technologies has allowed cybercrimes to be conducted anonymously or remotely from an entirely different country (GAO). With that being said, due to the broad influence and controversial nature of these messages, federal authorities quickly took action. In cooperation with the Justice Department, the FBI released a statement on Nov. 7, announcing that they were “aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country” and planned to launch their own investigation on the matter (Reuters). Phone service provider TextNow promptly disabled accounts found to be complicit in the act, and the U.S. wireless industry has blocked thousands more hateful texts in an cooperative effort to mitigate any additional damages (AP News).

While the origins and intentions behind these messages are still up for speculation, Dr. Robert Green II, an assistant history professor at Claflin University, a historically Black college, notes their timing, coming just days after the winner of the presidential election was announced, and their targeted nature (AP News). The President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Derrick Johnson reinforces this idea in his press statement, emphasizing that “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” (NAACP). His stance references the latest presidential-elect, Donald Trump, whose use of “inflammatory language against minorities” during his campaign could heighten racial tensions (Washington Post). The Trump Administration has also prioritized deconstructing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs which look to promote economic participation from underrepresented or marginalized groups. Some messages even directly mentioned Donald Trump, or claimed to be associated with his Administration, prompting spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt to make a statement clarifying their impartiality in this scandal. While Trump’s campaign has made notable strides in appealing to black voters, gaining support from 30% of black men under the age of 45, a figure which doubled from 2020, the content and Trump’s possible affiliation with these messages still invoked fear in some Black Americans. Many believed this signaled the reappearance of discriminatory policies (Reuters), or racist intimidation in America, most notably fear-inducing tactics such as physical violence and poll taxes targeting minorities (AP News). Junior Presley Tsai reflects on the possible political implications of these messages.

“Initially, I believed the messages were more of a joke because of the [blatant] racism. [However], due to the timing of when it was sent, [right after the election], I think these messages were meant to turn people against one another,” Tsai said. “There is already tension between American voters [who have different political views], this will only amplify it.

The use of technology as the means for these hate crimes only magnifies their harmful effects (AP News). Not only does the anonymity aspect of digital communication encourage the spread of ignorant and racist comments through text messages, but also online in general. Both speak to the psychological phenomenon known as “deindividuation,” where social norms are neglected as identities are kept private; thus, people tend to participate in irrational, harmful actions as there are no consequences (The Guardian). Sophomore Sayuri Shibata provides important insight behind people’s virtual behavior.

“Due to the use of social media, people [have] become desensitized [to the weight that their words carry],” Shibata said. “People seem to be more harsh online because they can say whatever they want. They feel like they are in a higher position because they are anonymous.”

The psychological harms inflicted by these messages are especially alarming, as young middle and high students are among the recipients of these racist statements (ABC News). According to the National Institute of Health, exposure to racism “increases risk for negative mental health outcomes among Asian, Latino, African, and Native American youth, including risk for depression and other internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms.” Furthermore, this leaves parents deeply concerned about the students’ mental well-being and the possible implications that come with this exposure to racism (PBS). First grade teacher at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Bonnie Kwon shares this sentiment and described the potential repercussions of these messages.

“[The messages would] make [the students] feel like they don’t belong and question, ‘Why do people not like us?’” Kwon said. “This could also lead to racial tension in schools. The school I work at is majority Hispanic and Black students, but with other schools [that] might be more diverse, there could be [animosity] between the kids [because they are of] different races. [Ultimately, though,] there will be support from LAUSD and hopefully these other, more diverse, schools will have more friendships instead of animosity [like the people behind] these messages had intended.”