Schools
Racist Texts Sent To Lower Merion Students: District Officials
Numerous reports from various states have said black Americans were targeted by racist text messages addressing them as "slaves."
LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — As authorities investigate racist text messages have been sent to residents in Pennsylvania and around the country, some of those targeted by the hateful messages were Lower Merion School District students.
According to Acting Lower Merion School District Superintendent Megan E. Shafer, some students in the district reported getting nearly identical texts to the ones being investigated.
Six middle school students received the texts, she said.
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Patch reported Thursday that screenshots of similar texts shared on X address the recipients as "slaves" and state recipients "have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation."
"The racist nature of these text messages is extremely disturbing, made even more so by the fact that children have been targeted," Shafer said. "While the source of these messages has not been determined, we want to unequivocally state that racist language is unacceptable in our schools and will not be tolerated."
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Lower Merion Police are investigating the local texts, while Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said her office is investigating other similar messages.
It's not clear yet exactly how many individuals have been impacted, and where, but a report from CBS 21 confirmed that in Pennsylvania, the texts have hit Dauphin County. The attorney general's statement implies they are widespread in the state.
Outlets around the country have reported similar instances in Virginia, Maryland, and Alabama.
"If your student has received one of these messages, we want to support them as they process this
horrific act," Shafer said. "Please reach out to their principal or directly to their counselor so that we can provide whatever is needed to help them feel safe in our schools. Our Counseling Department has resources for talking to children about difficult topics here."
Patch has reached out to Lower Merion Township Police for more information and will update the story when additional details are made available.
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