Black students barraged by terrifying hate text messages
It's been a terrifying couple of days for thousands of Americans, but it's been particularly hard for black students at the University of Pennsylvania.
On Friday, several black freshman found themselves added to a group text message that included multiple racial slurs, called students "dumb slaves" and included invitations for "daily lynchings." The texts, sent via an app called GroupMe, appears to have come from an account based in Oklahoma, University officials said.
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The GroupMe message came from an anonymous account and was labeled "Mudmen." In another group chat, called "Trump is love," one posted a photo of a red hat and the phrase "Grab them by the pussy." Other messages came from a user called "Daddy Trump."
Black students throughout @Penn's campus, like myself, have been added to this hateful GroupMe. I am petrified and all I want to do is cry. pic.twitter.com/DrqLvpXAW5
— Chidera (@chiderasiegbu) November 11, 2016
On campus, students and staff reeled as university police and information security staff attempted to locate the origin of the account.
"The account contains violent, racist and thoroughly repugnant images and messages," Ron Ozio, director of campus media relations, told Mashable in an email. "Our police and information security staff are trying to locate the exact source and see what steps can be taken to cut the account off. Staff ... are trying to determine exactly how many students were impacted and how best to provide support. The University is taking every step possible to address both the source of the racist material and the impact it has had on Black students on campus."
Students of color have since organized to address the concerns about the messages and the rise in hate speech over the past several days.
"Everyone was so sad, and now people are so angry," Melissa Tustin-Gore, a student at the university told Mashable. "Outside of directly attacking anyone, I don't understand how this could be worse."
Tustin-Gore suspects that whoever planned the attack is affiliated with the university, as they appear to have access to the university's phone directory.
Student around campus have been wearing safety pins as a symbol of solidarity for the people of color, women, LGBTQ folks and people with disabilities frightened by a Trump administration.
The University of Pennsylvania is Trump's alma mater.