Black students in Georgia, U.S. report racist text messages after election

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) based in Montgomery, Alabama, young Black people in Alabama, Georgia and across the country received racist text messages from unknown numbers the day after the historic 2024 presidential election .

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it 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."

In a statement, TextNow said it "has uncovered that one or more of our accounts was used to send text messages in violation of our terms of service .

"As soon as we became aware, our Trust & Safety team acted quickly and disabled the related accounts in less than an hour," the company, which was founded in 2009 with a goal of providing low-cost text messaging services, said. "As part of our investigation into these messages, we learned they have been sent through multiple carriers across the U.S. and we are working with partners and law enforcement cooperatively to investigate this attack.

"TextNow is proud to be an inclusive service offering free mobile calling, text, and data to millions of Americans," the company said. "We do not tolerate or condone the use of our service to send messages that are intended to harass or spam others and will work with the authorities to prevent these individuals from doing so in the future."

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the messages are unacceptable.

"That's why our enforcement bureau is already investigating and looking into them, alongside federal and state law enforcement," Rosenworcel said. "We take this type of targeting very seriously."

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris , ending her bid to become the nation's first woman - and woman of color - elected to the Oval Office.

"The text sent to young Black people, including students at Alabama State University and the University of Alabama, is a public spectacle of hatred and racism that makes a mockery of our civil rights history," said Margaret Huang, SPLC president and CEO. "Hate speech has no place in the South or in our nation.

"Leaders at all levels must condemn anti-Black racism, in any form, whenever we see it, and we must follow our words with actions that advance racial justice and build an inclusive democracy where every person feels safe and welcome in their community," Huang said.

One of the students who said he received the message is Jayson Brown, currently enrolled in the aviation department at Middle Georgia State University .

His mother, Tammy Brown, said a classmate of her son "posted highly inappropriate content in a group chat used by students for class communication.

"The group chat primarily comprises white students, with Jayson and a few other students being among the only Black individuals," Tammy Brown said. "One of Jayson's classmates posted a video on Snapchat with the caption, 'king racism is back, b***h.'

"This same student also shared the following message in the group chat: 'Greetings ... You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready at 12 pm sharp with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you've entered the plantation. You are in Plantation Group S,'" Tammy Brown said.

As a result of this incident, Tammy Brown said her son has experienced significant emotional and mental distress, which has taken a toll on his physical health.

"He was unable to attend classes on November 6 and 7 and was seen by a medical physician, who provided a note excusing him from school for a few days," she said. "The anxiety and nervousness caused by this event have deeply affected him, leading to his decision not to return to the university for the remainder of the semester."

Tammy Brown said her son has decided to withdraw from his current course; is requesting his withdrawal without penalty or repercussions; is urging the university to conduct an investigation and take appropriate disciplinary measures; and that Middle Georgia State University strengthen its anti-discrimination policies, support services, and diversity training.

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