Racist text messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies.

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.

    • JackbyDev@programming.devEnglish
      8·
      13 days 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
        4·
        13 days 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.devEnglish
          2·
          13 days 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.