Racist text messages invoking slavery have been sent to Black individuals, including students, across multiple states, alarming communities and prompting FBI investigations.

Experts in domestic extremism have expressed shock at the direct nature of these racist attacks via text messaging, marking a troubling trend.

Many of the texts were notably specific, addressing recipients by name, which has heightened concerns about the sender's knowledge of their targets.

The targeting of individuals, including non-college students, raises broader societal concerns about the implications of such hate crimes.

The sender of these messages reportedly used a VPN to conceal their identity, indicating a calculated effort to intimidate recipients.

Recipients have expressed concern over how their phone numbers were obtained, raising fears about their safety and privacy.

As the situation continues to develop, further updates are expected regarding the ongoing investigations and community responses.

Experts have noted the difficulty in tracing the source of these messages, which could involve local groups or automated systems.

Superintendent Joseph Baeta condemned the targeting of children in these messages, calling it intolerable.

A 13-year-old boy shared his emotional reaction to the message, illustrating the impact on young individuals and their families.

Latasha Gillis from Fayetteville expressed her worries after her teenage daughter received a similar message, highlighting parental concerns.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the Biden administration's commitment to community safety and the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.