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    • Racist text messages sent to students at UTK, Fisk and Nashville schools
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    Racist text messages sent to students at UTK, Fisk and Nashville schools

    Umito Posted on

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    A series of racist text messages apparently targeting black students has released nationwide in the days surrounding the presidential election.

    Some students at Fisk University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and public schools in the Nashville metro area received the messages, according to school officials. The messages, which vary in language, all seem to convey the same main message: that someone is coming to pick up black people to take them to work as slaves and pick cotton on a nearby plantation.

    The texts appear to be part of a “spoofing” operation, which masks the senders’ true identities to send spam messages. The threats do not appear credible, according to a statement from Fisk University, a historically black private university located near downtown Nashville.

    Brooke Reese, a spokeswoman for the Metro Nashville Police Department, said the messages came from a third-party messaging app. Detectives from the department’s Specialized Investigative Unit are working with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions to uncover the origin of the texts.

    Here’s what else to know about messages.

    Fisk, UTK and MNPS respond to racist text messages sent to students

    Fisk University sent a message to its students Wednesday evening, saying authorities were closely monitoring the situation and urging students to remain calm.

    “These messages, which suggest threats of violence and intimidation, are deeply disturbing,” Fisk University said in a statement to students Wednesday evening. “However, we want to assure you that this is likely the work of an automated bot or malicious actors with no real intentions or credibility.”

    The email also directed Fisk students who encounter anything concerning to contact the school’s Campus Safety Department at 615-329-8777.

    The University of Tennessee-Knoxville also reported that students received the messages, according to spokeswoman Kerry Gardner.

    “We have offered care and support to these students if they want it and we will make support available to any other students who have not yet come forward,” Garnder said.

    She said students can find information and resources at StudentLife.utk.edu/CampusClimate/report-an-incident.

    MNPS spokesman Sean Braisted said the district notified police about messages received by students at one school.

    “We encourage anyone who receives a similar message to share it with authorities to support the investigation,” Braisted said in an email.

    Who else receives fraudulent racist messages?

    Residents in several states reported receiving racist text messages before or after Election Day, according to a report from USA TODAY. Local newspapers and television stations have documented stories of texts reaching people in Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. It is not yet clear whether the trend has spread even more widely.

    Screenshots of the messages also went viral online.

    Related: University of Tennessee students targeted by national racist text message campaign

    What exactly is identity theft?

    According to the Federal Communications CommissionIdentity theft occurs when callers, or in this case texters, disguise their identities to make them appear to be trusted sources, like local numbers, businesses, or government agencies. This method is often used to engage in criminal activities, such as stealing personal information or money.

    You can block numbers that send unwanted messages or make calls to your phone. Your phone company may also offer ways to block unwanted spam or scam calls. Certain apps can also help keep them at bay. Learn more about how to spot and avoid identity theft. fcc.gov/identity theft.

    Umito
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