Black students at USC, Clemson receive racist texts. It’s happening across the country
Black students at USC and Clemson have received racist text messages in a nationwide stunt.
The texts, which seemingly follow the same script, reference slavery and picking cotton.
A spokesman for the University of South Carolina confirmed that the school has received several reports of students receiving such text messages. USC is coordinating with state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The university’s chapter of the NAACP called on USC’s administration to hold those responsible accountable and ensure the safety of its Black students.
“On behalf of the Black students at USC, we want to make it clear: we will not stand for this needless disrespect. The language used in these messages, as well as the racist rhetoric they carry, is a harmful reminder of our nation’s dark history of racism,” the organization said in a statement. “We will not allow the legacy of Jim Crow or the cruelty of these demonstrations to define our campus.”
The Clemson University Police Department also received reports of the text messages with “disparaging” language, and said the number from which they were sent was determined to be associated with online spoofing sites.
“CUPD is actively investigating the matter and working with state partners to identify the source of the messages,” the department said in a statement. “Based on the information available, there is currently no indication of a credible threat to members of the Clemson community.”
The department encouraged those who receive suspicious messages to report them by calling 864-656-2222.
Incoming state Rep. Hamilton Grant, a Richland County Democrat, said he received reports that students at the historically-Black South Carolina State University and Claflin University also have received similar messages. The State has reached out to the schools for more information.
These texts have been sent to Black Americans across the country, according to media reports, many of which have targeted college students, including in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
The FBI said in a statement that it’s aware of the offensive and racist text messages is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities.
The Southern Poverty Law Center called the text messages hate speech.
“The text sent to young Black people ... is a public spectacle of hatred and racism that makes a mockery of our civil right history,” Margaret Huang, the center’s president, said in a statement. “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.”
The attorneys general of several states, including North Carolina and Louisiana, said they are working with federal authorities to find the origin of these texts.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said that while his office has not received any complaints, he was aware of the racist messages and is in touch with law enforcement partners.
“These messages are vile and deplorable,” Wilson said in a statement to The State. “Whoever sent them is only trying to divide us and we must stand together against this kind of hatred.”
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 3:42 PM.
