Summary

Racist text messages invoking slavery were anonymously sent to Black individuals across several U.S. states, sparking investigations by the FBI, FCC, and local law enforcement.

The messages, received in states like New York, Alabama, and California, varied in wording but shared a disturbing tone, with some directing recipients to report to specific locations.

Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and Southern Poverty Law Center, condemned the messages, calling them deeply disturbing and perpetuating a legacy of evil.

Wireless providers are working to block the messages, which officials believe could be the work of bots or malicious actors.

  • PunnyName@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    26
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    15 hours ago

    Call me melodramatic, but I’m honestly surprised there aren’t roving bands of armed white dudes with trucker hats and wrap-around sunglasses in every neighborhood at this point. Maybe Jan 21, but I won’t be alive to know.

        • JackbyDev@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          6
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          3 hours ago

          There’s a balance. You need to stay informed, but you need to keep yourself from spiraling.

          Edit: To be clear, I’m not suggesting anyone totally tune out forever. Just take breaks as you need and get back in.

          • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            4
            ·
            4 hours ago

            Seems to be becoming less and less possible.

            And I fear that it will just allow things to escalate and become so much worse because people are deciding to “check out” because their privilege allows them to (at least at that moment).

            • JackbyDev@programming.dev
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              3 hours ago

              I feel you with regards to the privilege aspect, and it’s definitely been something I’ve been conscious of in this (being white, straight passing, cis ish male). But it’s important to remember that it’s not all or nothing. If it’s too much, tune out for a bit, take a breather, then tune back in. It’s not like you have to permanently tune out forever or commit to stay engaged 24/7/365.

              If you’re actively having like anxiety/panic attacks or sobbing about things there’s nothing you can do in that moment to help people. It’s sort of like the spoons metaphor thing. You’re just totally out of spoons. Take some time to fill your spoons back up and get back in.

              I’ll edit my other comment to make my point a little more clear that I’m not advocating a “lay down and rot” type of response.

    • Cethin@lemmy.zip
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      10 hours ago

      Giving up gives them power, and leaves others behind who you could help. Yeah, it sucks he won, but it’s not over. Don’t let them take everything for free.

      Thats not mentioning there are certainly people who care about you in the world. You may not even understand what you mean to them.

      If you’re contemplating suicide over this, seek help. It’s not worth it.

    • grue@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      26
      ·
      13 hours ago

      but I won’t be alive to know.

      Never kill yourself for something that’s somebody else’s fault.

      • PunnyName@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        11 hours ago

        Meh

        I don’t want to deal with 4 years of constant panic attacks every day. Again.

        • theangryseal@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          5 hours ago

          Like others said, anti anxiety meds, avoid the internet. Also, get yourself a musical instrument and dive into creativity. You won’t be sad that you did that.

          I’d hate to have to tell your ghost that a week after you died there was a plane crash that changed everything or something.

          You don’t know what’s going to happen and I promise you, you’ll die eventually if you just hang in there.

          If I had pulled the trigger when I wanted to in 2017, I would have missed the most wonderful time of my life so far and by a long shot.

          I still have the only gun I’ve ever owned. I’m probably gonna bury that bad boy soon, give it a little grave. Can’t sell it, it’s one of the worst reviewed firearms made in the last 40 years and no one who cares would dream of buying it.

          Good luck.