The ugly reality of racism in a post-election America by Mary Long

In the wake of the recent election, a disturbing and deeply troubling phenomenon has emerged: anonymous racist text messages targeting Black people across the country, including young teens. Messages that reminded them of a dark, painful history—a history that many hoped was behind us. “You’ve been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation” or “chosen to be a slave”—these words are not just cruel, they are a reflection of an ongoing racial hatred that continues to poison the social fabric of America. These recent events beg the question: Is this what the future holds for the United States?

The text messages were not just anonymous blasts of venom; they were deliberate acts of hate that sought to reawaken the racial divisions that have plagued the United States for centuries. They serve as a stark reminder that while significant progress has been made, racial inequality, prejudice, and the brutal legacies of slavery and segregation are far from being eradicated.

For many, these messages may have been a shocking reminder of how racism continues to shape the lives of Black Americans, particularly in the wake of a national election that exposed the deep divide in the country. Despite the progress we've made in civil rights, the undercurrent of racism remains alive and well—sometimes seeping into public discourse, and other times, as we’ve seen recently, manifesting in anonymous, cowardly ways through technology.

These messages were not isolated incidents; they are part of a much larger cultural and political landscape that continues to marginalize Black Americans. From police violence to discriminatory policies in education and housing, the realities of racism in the United States are far-reaching and inescapable. They are not relics of the past, but persistent issues that rear their ugly heads whenever there is a shift in national sentiment, reminding us that racism is still embedded within our systems.

The appearance of these hate-fuelled messages after the election is not an anomaly but a symptom of a larger, insidious issue. The election, which exposed a country deeply divided over issues of race, identity, and privilege, set the stage for these messages to find a willing audience. When political leaders and public figures make racist or xenophobic comments, it emboldens those who harbor similar views, making them feel validated. This is not simply an election result—it is a reflection of the broader societal undercurrent of racism that still thrives in America.

Racism may not always be overt, but it is always present, and it adapts. From the history of chattel slavery to the Jim Crow era and into the modern-day fight for racial justice, racism in the United States has continuously evolved and found new ways to manifest. Whether through microaggressions or systemic barriers, the racism that affects Black people today is the result of centuries of unresolved racial trauma and inequality.

When we allow the rhetoric of hate to go unchecked, it normalizes these acts of cruelty. These text messages are not isolated events, nor are they only the work of a few bad apples. They reflect a broader cultural issue that transcends political party lines or regional boundaries.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of these recent racist messages is that they targeted young teens. These were not just adults harboring resentment for the political outcome; they were individuals who sought to break the spirits of vulnerable teenagers, reminding them of the centuries-old oppression that continues to shape their lives.

For young people, especially teens who are already grappling with their identities, receiving these messages can be devastating. It forces them to confront a painful truth: the society they live in still sees them through the lens of race, and often, through a lens that devalues their humanity.

It’s not just a callous prank—it’s an act of violence that strikes at the very core of their self-worth and place in the world. The trauma of growing up in a society that regularly reminds them they are different, that they are inferior, or that they don’t belong, can have lifelong effects on mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

As disheartening as these events are, they also provide an opportunity for reflection and action. These racist messages have made clear that despite significant progress in civil rights and racial equality, the fight is far from over. The question is, how do we address this? How do we ensure that future generations are not subjected to the same hatred and division?

First and foremost, we must hold accountable those who perpetuate these acts of racism, whether through anonymous messages or public platforms. It is not enough to condemn these actions in private; we must create a culture where racism is unequivocally rejected in all its forms. Social media platforms, tech companies, and government institutions must take more responsibility in curbing hate speech and ensuring that technology is not being used to fuel division.

Additionally, we must continue to build on the progress made through social justice movements like Black Lives Matter, emphasizing the importance of empathy, education, and policy reform. Ensuring that every American—regardless of race—has access to opportunities and resources, and that systemic racism is dismantled, must remain at the forefront of our national agenda.

We must acknowledge that racism in America is not just a problem of a few isolated individuals or political figures. It is an issue that permeates every level of society, from the media and education system to the criminal justice system and beyond. The history of racism in the U.S. is long, complicated, and painful—but acknowledging it and grappling with it honestly is the first step toward a future that is genuinely equal.

The recent racist text messages are not a reflection of the inevitable future, but a reminder of how much work is left to be done. It is crucial that we, as a society, resist the temptation to normalize or ignore these acts of hate, and instead work tirelessly to ensure that such cruelty has no place in our future.

The fight for racial equality is ongoing, and while we have made great strides, these incidents remind us that the path forward is far from clear. But as long as we continue to stand against hate, support each other, and strive for justice, the future of the United States can be one of progress, not regression. The choice is ours: to ignore the problem and let it fester, or to confront it head-on and ensure a future where racism is no longer part of our national identity.