WICHITA, Kan. — Different versions of an offensive text are going around the country, even among students in Kansas.
The main idea of both texts is the same. The person who gets the text message is told that they have been chosen to be a slave and will be sent to a farm. When they get there, they will be searched.
It was learned by KSN News that someone in Derby sent a different version of the message to some kids in Derby.
Katie Carlson, communications director for Derby Public Schools, said, “We got a similar message going around among Derby High School students last night.” “It was reported right away to a School Resource Officer, who was able to find the person and meet with them.”
She said that the problem is being looked into, but she couldn’t say anything else because student affairs are private.
Derby Police Chief Brandon Russell said that the case was looked into and that the people involved were minors. Their parents were told about it.
“No one wanted to look into the incident right now,” he said. “It looked like it was done in jest, but it was rude.”
We asked Russell more questions, like why he said, “It looked like it was done in jest.”
“This is an investigation into a juvenile, so I can’t go into specifics.” “I can’t answer your questions other than to say that we looked into it and that it was handled in line with state law and the wishes of everyone involved on both sides,” he said.
People in Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan, including college students and adults, have said they get the same texts. Some of those writings, talk about picking cotton. No one in the other states has been found to have sent the texts.
“These messages going around the country are very scary,” Carlson said. It is not okay for racist and hateful words to be sent to our schools or communities. Derby Public Schools will not stand for bullying, sexism, or racism.
She said that Derby Public Schools’ main goal is to keep children and families safe.
“This should be reported when there are threats, bullying, or harassment,” Carlson said. “All reported situations are quickly looked into by the district or the right responding agencies.”
She said these words go against the district’s core values and could be considered harassment under the law.
Source: Kansas students among many getting hateful text
