PHILADELPHIA. – The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) is aware of offensive and racist text messages circulating throughout Philadelphia and nationwide. Black Americans, including high school and college students, have reported receiving alarming messages instructing them to report to a plantation along with other deeply offensive and hateful references. Similarly, hateful messages may also be targeting Latino and LGBTQIA+ groups.
“These kinds of messages are vile and disgusting. It is a completely unacceptable attempt to harass, demean, divide, and intimidate our communities,” said PCHR Executive Director Kia Ghee. “Racial discrimination, in any form, but particularly through the use of harassing messages that target some of our most vulnerable is a violation of basic human rights and an affront to our core values as a society. Our agency is steadfast in its commitment to fighting this and all other forms of discrimination and harassment. We do not, and will never, condone practices that perpetuate inequality and injustice.”
The FBI has urged anyone who receives such messages to report them immediately via their Electronic Tip Form. PCHR remains committed to supporting those affected by these incidents and to working alongside local and federal partners to confront racial harassment and discrimination in all its forms.
For additional information or to report hate and bias incidents, please contact PCHR at pchr@phila.gov or215-686-4670. Incidents of hate and bias can also be reported with our online reporting system here.
