November 14, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others

By Dolores Quintana

Schools on the Westside of Los Angeles and Santa Monica have reported that students have received racist text messages that have been sent to children, students, and some adults nationwide. Most seem to have been sent to Black students, but Latino students have also reported getting the texts. The texts started the day after the election and some used the person’s name and had details about their location, making them even more chilling. 

One of the text messages sent to an SMMUSD student and acquired by The Mirror Media Group from the school district said, “You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready by 7:00pm November 6,2024”

“With your bags packed, Our executive slaves will come pick you up in a black and white truck. You may not have any weapons or sharp things on you when it’s time for pick up, you are in group B.” 

We are printing the message as it was sent, without correcting any of the errors within the text. 

These disturbing messages have been sent to people, some of whom are children as young as twelve years old, in 32 states and the District of Columbia and 26 universities, according to CBS News. 

The FCC and the FBI, who is in contact with the US Department of Justice, will be investigating the sources of these appalling messages after releasing statements confirming they knew of the texts and were working on finding those responsible. Most of the statements released by school officials urge students, their parents, or others who have received the texts to report them to law enforcement directly or through the WeTip anonymous reporting website. Some have asked students to report to the school as well. 

Additionally, students in Brentwood, the San Fernando Valley, and the Inland Empire have reported being targeted. A search of the social media of most local Westside politicians, CD 5’s Katy Yaroslavksy, CD 11’s Traci Park, LA Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, US State Representative Sydney Kamlinger-Dove, Congressman Brad Sherman, California State Representative Rick Zbur, and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, yielded no assurance that they were either aware of the texts or investigating the matter. The LAPD and LASD have also not acknowledged the harassment. 

Santa Monica College students have been targeted and Michael Tuitasi, VP, of Student Affairs posted a statement that said, “It has come to the attention of colleagues in the Counseling Dept. that some Santa Monica College students have received racist text messages targeting many Black & Brown residents and students across the U.S., including in California. As a reminder, there is no room for racism, unlawful discrimination, and harassment at SMC. We unequivocally condemn the vile, racist rhetoric in these text messages and stand ready to support any students who have been targeted. If you know of any student or colleague who has received this message, please have them contact me at Tuitasi_Michael@smc.edu.”

Tuitasi offered SMC’s counseling services to students affected by this encouraging them to take advantage of “SMC’s Center for Wellness & Wellbeing is here for them, and offers a 24/7 emotional support line: 800-691-6003. And, of course, our counselors—including in the Black Collegians Program/Umoja Community & other special programs—are here to support them as well.”

Alberto M. Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent, said in a social media statement, “We are aware of racist and incendiary texts that are being sent to students nationwide, including to some of our students. We unequivocally condemn this hateful and threatening rhetoric. We are investigating this situation. If you receive one of these messages, students and families should contact their school for support.”

Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton, of SMMUSD, responded via email to confirm SMMUSD students had received the texts, “We have reports that some Santa Monica High School African American / Black students have received racist text messages, along with others throughout the country over the last several days… Racist comments and all hate are not acceptable in our schools, community, or society. I am personally committed to fostering a sense of belonging and building community on our campuses as one of my priorities. 

Targeting our students with racist messages is unfathomable. Whoever or whatever group started this campaign needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If we learn that an SMMUSD student is involved at the local level, they will face disciplinary action to the full extent of the Education Code and school board policy. 

We have heard parent concerns that an SMMUSD data breach may be responsible for student cell phone numbers being stolen and used to spread hateful messages. This is not possible as we do not gather or retain any student personal cell phone numbers in our databases. Students may have apps downloaded that do collect information where it is possible that third-party software data has been breached. School-related apps that teachers use are all vetted and do not require student cell information.”

Gail Pinsker, Community & Public Relations Officer for SMMUSD, stated that students would be offered space to “discuss and work through” this during the week.

in News
Related Posts

Thanksgiving Feasts and Pies and Other Fall Delights: Pre-Order Now at LA’s Top Spots

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

Gourmet Turkeys Sides, Holiday Pies, New Fall Cocktails For November on the Westside The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills has...

Actress Chanel Maya Banks Found in Texas, Family Disputes LAPD’s Closure of the Case

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

Family Questions Authenticity of Inflammatory Social Media Posts The events in the case of Chanel Maya Banks, the Playa Vista-based...

LA’s Food Access Farmers Markets Face Possible Closures, Call for Community Support

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

Nonprofit Seeks Monthly Donors To Continue to Offer Fresh Produce to the Underserved Food Access LA, the nonprofit organization behind...

SANTA MONICA HOTELS OFFER EXTRA BEDROOM PROGRAM FOR LOCALS WELCOMING VISITORS

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 11, 2024) – Santa Monica Travel & Tourism announces the return of the popular “I Wish...

(Video) What Parents Love about Vistamar’s Open House v1

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Why attend a Vistamar admissions open house? Parents talk about all that you can experience when you visit. At Open...

Rodeo Drive Lights Up for the Holidays with “Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights” Celebration

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Beverly Hills Kicks off the Holiday Season This Week With Free Annual Event The Rodeo Drive Committee and the City...

Family Searches for Missing Actress Chanel Maya Banks; Asks For Public’s Help in West LA

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Relatives Search for Chanel Maya Banks, Last Heard From on October 30 The family of an actress based on the...

Court Halts Order for Expedited Veteran Housing in West LA, Citing VA’s Budget Constraints

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Criticizes the VA on Veterans Day The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily paused an...

Metro’s New Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Aims to Speed Up Commutes for LA Riders

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Pilot Program Begins With 60-Day Warning Period to Clear Bus Lanes The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in...

Legendary Actor Tony Todd, Known for Iconic Horror Roles, Dies at the Age of 69

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Star of Candyman and Final Destination Remembered by Fans and Peers Iconic actor and Marina del Rey resident Tony Todd...

LAUSD Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault on a Minor, Police Believe There May Be Other Victims

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on November 8 that a middle school teacher, Colleen Jo Matarico, is...

Baby2Baby Gala Raises Record $17 Million to Support Families in Need

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Event Honors Charlize Theron at the Pacific Design Center The Baby2Baby nonprofit organization held its annual gala on Saturday, Nov....

Beverly Hills High Limits Student Gatherings After Pro-Trump Rally Disrupts Campus

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Principal Cites Safety Concerns Following Post-Election Demonstration Beverly Hills High School has put limits on student gatherings after a pro-Trump...

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Elon Musk and Grimes House Hunt in Bel-Air for Property Amid Reports of “Family Compound”

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Billionaire and His Former Partner Are Reportedly Searching for a Los Angeles Mansion Billionaire Elon Musk and his former partner,...