Heartland leader weighs in on racist text messages being sent across the country

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – Federal authorities are now investigating this text messages sent from unknown numbers to black Americans in at least ten states, including Missouri.

These reports are raising concerns among some here in the Heartland.

“Why would anyone want to put that kind of fear or that kind of image in someone’s head today in 2024,” Ramona Bailey asked.

That was the question on Bailey’s mind when she heard racist text messages were being sent to black men and women across the country.

People report anonymous messages, some read: you have been selected to pick cotton or become a house slave on a plantation.

“To use terms like picking cotton, no one does that anymore, it’s ridiculous,” Bailey said.

Bailey preaches at St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau. She said those who received these hateful texts would be in her sermon on Sunday.

“To ensure that the message that comes across is not one of fear, but of hope.”

And she wants to preach a message of unity to the community.

“We are still the United States of America. If we continue to move forward as a people and understand and communicate with each other, we can continue to work better and perform better,” said Bailey.