In the wake of the recent presidential election, a troubling surge in hate-related incidents has been reported across the United States, particularly involving Neo-Nazi groups and racist messaging. This alarming trend has raised concerns among communities of color and LGBTQ individuals, with incidents documented in at least 25 states.

Reports indicate that residents in Waterloo, Iowa, received flyers promoting the Aryan Freedom Network, while in Michigan, men displayed Nazi flags outside a community theater production of \"The Diary of Anne Frank.\" In Columbus, Ohio, a small group of Neo-Nazis was seen carrying swastika flags. Additionally, many individuals, including children and teenagers, have received threatening text messages instructing them to report to a plantation to pick cotton, instilling fear and anxiety.

Destiny Lagrone, a New Yorker who received one of these messages, expressed her fear and confusion, questioning the motivations behind such hate-filled communications. The FBI is currently investigating the origins of these texts, but the source remains unclear.

Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center, highlighted that these incidents reflect a broader trend of emboldened hate and extremism, exacerbated by the rhetoric used during the election campaign. She noted that while some voters may have supported the president-elect for economic reasons, this does not justify the rise of racial hatred and misogyny.

Huang emphasized the need for better regulations on internet companies that facilitate mass text messaging, as these platforms have been implicated in the distribution of hateful messages. The SPLC has engaged with students nationwide to understand the impact of these texts, which appear to have been collected and sold through a chain of companies.

As the nation moves forward, Huang anticipates a continued rise in hate incidents, particularly as the new administration takes shape. She urged communities to stand against hate and to reject the rhetoric that has fueled such actions, while acknowledging the legal protections afforded to hate speech under the First Amendment.