‘You have been selected to pick cotton’: Racist texts targeting Black residents reported in Lowcountry

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Racist text messages are reportedly being sent to people of color across the country, and within the past few days, some Lowcountry individuals say they have received the texts themselves.

State Rep. Tiffany Spann Wilder (D) sent an email to House colleagues explaining that several of her constituents received text messages calling them by name, saying they have been selected to pick cotton at nearby plantations.

The messages differ and come from various numbers, but many say the individual should prepare to be picked up by “executive slaves” and taken to the plantation. Rep. Spann-Wilder said one of the texts was sent to a high school senior in her district and another to a senior citizen in Charleston.

The texts began circulating the day after the 2024 presidential election.

“They have all been received by African Americans – the intent is clear harassment,” she wrote.

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office said the office has not been made aware of the texts being sent anywhere in the state; however, “Attorney General Wilson condemns racist and hateful text messages in the strongest possible terms.”

The Clemson City Police Department confirmed to Nexstar’s WSPA they were aware of “racially motivated” texts sent out to residents.

Clemson University also sent out a release advising students who received the messages to report them to university police.

Others outside of Charleston County reported being sent similar messages, according to a Berkeley County Facebook group with commenters describing texts with similar content.

News 2 has reached out to state and local law enforcement agencies for more information, but has not heard back.

Nationwide, similar texts have been reported in North Carolina, Indiana, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and several other states, including the DC-Virginia area.