November 9th 2024.
Reports have surfaced that Black Coloradans are being targeted with racist and insulting text messages, some of which even use recipients' names and make references to picking cotton on a plantation. The source of these messages is still unknown, but they claim to be sent on behalf of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
The victims of these messages span across age groups, with many being young adults and children. Two teenage girls from Fort Collins received messages referring to them as "hoodlums" and "negros" and threatening them with picking cotton. Their mother, Monique Mance, was disgusted and fearful after reading the messages and had a difficult time explaining the situation to her daughters.
Mance couldn't help but draw comparisons to the racism her grandparents faced, and expressed her disappointment in the fact that this kind of behavior still exists today. The incident has also sparked inquiries from federal officials, with the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Communications Commission all looking into the matter. Black residents in several other states have also reported receiving similar messages.
The FBI's Denver field office has confirmed their involvement in the investigation, partnering with other federal agencies to gather information on the messages. They encourage anyone who receives threatening messages to report them to local law enforcement. The Colorado Attorney General's Office has also been informed, but cannot comment on any ongoing investigations.
While it's unclear if a crime has been committed or if the personal information used to customize these messages was obtained unlawfully, the fear and tension caused by these messages is undeniable. The timing, following a heated presidential election that focused on issues of immigration and race, only adds to the concern.
Omar Montgomery, president of the Aurora branch of the NAACP, believes that a thorough investigation by federal law enforcement is necessary in light of the current political climate. He believes that if we don't address and confront these issues, they will only continue to divide our nation.
In addition to these hateful messages, there are also concerns about the promised mass deportations by Trump, dubbed "Operation Aurora" by his campaign. The NAACP plans to keep a close eye on the treatment of Aurora residents who may be subject to deportation, ensuring that their civil rights are protected.
For Monique Mance, all she hopes for is a bipartisan consensus that targeting children with hateful rhetoric is unacceptable. She understands that people may not always agree, but she believes that children should be left out of it. As the investigation into these messages continues, the people of Colorado are reminded to stand together and show support for their fellow citizens.
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