Savanna Hoffman
Alabama has been at the centre of discussions surrounding racism, with some arguing that the state is the poster child for institutional racism. In November 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama received racist text messages, sparking outrage among students and parents. This incident is one of many that has brought to light the experiences of university students in Alabama, particularly those from minority backgrounds. The state's history with race, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement, has left a lasting impact, and while some argue that Alabama is not as overtly racist as other parts of the US, institutional racism and segregation persist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racist text messages sent to Black students | Text messages saying Black students were "selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation" |
| University's response | Administration called the messages "disgusting" and encouraged students to reach out to the Office of Student Care and Well-Being |
| Public perception | Some feel that Alabama is not as racist as people make it out to be, and that racism is more institutional due to its history |
| Immigration | International students have faced visa revocations and detentions, with Iranian students advised to "lay low" |
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What You'll Learn
Racist text messages sent to Black students
Alabama has had a very public struggle with racism during the Civil Rights Movement. While this does not mean that the state's racism issues have been resolved, it has led to many people trying to keep their racist views quiet. However, in November 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama received racist text messages. The messages, which were also sent to students in other states, told the recipients that they had been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. The University of Alabama released a statement calling the messages disgusting and encouraging students to reach out to the Office of Student Care and Well-Being. While local law enforcement stated that being racist is not illegal, they noted that if a hate crime is committed or people are harassed, it becomes a different matter.
The text messages sparked outrage among students and parents, with some calling for stronger action from the university. Arleta McCall, the mother of one of the affected students, expressed her concerns for her child's safety and demanded changes to ensure the safety of all students at the university. The messages have also been reported to authorities, who are investigating their origins.
Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center, condemned the messages, stating that "hate speech has no place in the South or our nation." She emphasised the disturbing nature of the messages, especially the mention of slavery, which perpetuates a legacy of evil that dates back to before the Jim Crow era.
This incident is not isolated, as similar racist text messages have been sent to Black recipients, including children, in multiple states. These messages have raised alarms across the country, with civil rights organisations speaking out against them. While the exact number of states affected is unknown, they include most Southern states, Maryland, Oklahoma, and the District of Columbia.
While Alabama continues to grapple with its history of racism, the university's response to the incident and the outrage expressed by students, parents, and civil rights organisations demonstrate a united front against racist behaviour. It remains to be seen what steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to ensure the safety and well-being of Black students at the University of Alabama.
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Institutional racism in Alabama
Alabama has had a highly publicised and extreme reckoning with race during the Civil Rights Movement. While this does not mean that racism is no longer present in the state, it does suggest that many people are conscious of Alabama's racist history and actively try to distance themselves from it. As a result, racist views are often kept quiet and private.
However, this does not mean that racism is not still institutionalised in Alabama. For example, in November 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama received racist text messages. The messages informed students that they had been "selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation". This incident outraged students and parents, who felt that the University's response was insufficient. While the University called the messages "disgusting" and encouraged students to reach out to the Office of Student Care and Well-Being, the fact that such an incident could occur at all demonstrates that institutional racism persists in Alabama.
In addition, the University of Alabama has also been investigated for "race-based segregation", further indicating that institutional racism is still prevalent in the state's educational institutions.
Some people have argued that the South, including Alabama, divides more on socioeconomic lines than racial ones. This does not mean that racism is not an issue, but rather that socioeconomic factors may play a larger role in shaping people's experiences and opportunities.
Furthermore, while some have observed that Huntsville, Alabama, has relatively good race relations compared to the rest of the state, others have noted that the city is not particularly diverse. This suggests that the lack of racial tension may be due, in part, to a lack of racial diversity, rather than active anti-racist work or institutional change.
Overall, while Alabama's history of racism during the Civil Rights Movement is well-known, it is clear that institutional racism remains an issue in the state, particularly in its educational institutions. While some progress has been made, these incidents highlight the need for continued anti-racist work and institutional change to create a safe and equitable environment for people of colour in Alabama.
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Race-based segregation at the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has a history of racial segregation. In 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously struck down segregation in public schools, which sparked the Civil Rights Movement. However, in the years following, the University of Alabama denied admission to hundreds of African-American applicants. It was only in June 1963 that two African-American students, Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood, were able to register for classes, after federalized Alabama National Guard troops forced Alabama Governor George Wallace to end his blockade of the enrollment office.
Despite this landmark event, racism persists at the University of Alabama. In November 2024, Black students at the university received racist text messages, stating that they had "been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation". The University of Alabama released a statement calling the messages "disgusting" and encouraging affected students to reach out to the Office of Student Care and Well-Being. The university also reached out to local law enforcement, who stated that while being racist is not illegal, if harassment or a hate crime occurs, it would change the situation.
In March 2025, the University of Alabama was one of seven schools under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for allegedly offering "impermissible race-based scholarships" and engaging in "race-based segregation". While the department did not share specific allegations, the OCR accused 45 other universities of engaging in "race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs". The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) has since stated that it is UAB, not UA, that is facing the probe.
The University of Alabama has also been criticized for closing dedicated spaces for its Black Student Union and an LGBTQ+ resource center after the state passed a law banning publicly-funded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Students and professors have sued to overturn the law, arguing that it violates their due process and free speech rights.
While Alabama has made efforts to address racial segregation, the University of Alabama continues to face allegations of race-based discrimination and harassment towards its Black students.
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Racial profiling of international students
Alabama has had a very public struggle with racism, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. While this does not mean that the state's racism issues have been resolved, it has resulted in many residents attempting to distance themselves from that image. Many Alabamians interact with people of colour at work and school, which has led to efforts to keep racist views quiet and among like-minded individuals. However, Alabama's history with racial profiling and racist legislation cannot be ignored.
In 2011, Alabama's House Bill 56 (HB 56) was passed, allowing local police to check the immigration status of people they suspect may be undocumented, even during routine traffic stops. This law also made it mandatory for all Alabamians, including non-citizens, to carry identification documents at all times, as they may be stopped by a police officer and required to prove their citizenship or immigration status. This has resulted in the racial profiling of Latinos and other immigrants, with discriminatory traffic checkpoints and targeting of immigrant populations. The bill also requires schools to verify the immigration status of students and their parents, leading to widespread absences of Latino students in public schools.
In 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama were targeted by racist text messages, with similar messages being sent to students across the country. The text messages informed the recipients that they had been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. The University of Alabama is also currently under investigation for 'race-based segregation'.
While there is no specific information available regarding the racial profiling of international students in Alabama universities, it is evident that racism and racial profiling are prevalent issues in the state. International students, particularly those who are people of colour, may therefore be at risk of racial profiling during their time at Alabama universities.
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Alabama's reckoning with race during the Civil Rights Movement
Alabama has had a very public reckoning with race during the Civil Rights Movement. The state was the site of some of the most significant events of the civil rights era, which profoundly changed America. While this does not mean that racism is no longer present in Alabama, it does indicate that many residents are conscious of the state's history and actively try to distance themselves from it.
The Civil Rights Movement in Alabama began with a single act of civil disobedience by Rosa Parks in Montgomery in 1955. In the following years, Alabama witnessed numerous protests and acts of defiance against racial discrimination and segregation. For instance, in February 1960, several black students in Greensboro, North Carolina, staged a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter, inspiring black students across Alabama. Soon after, three dozen Alabama State University students attempted to eat at the segregated cafeteria in the state capitol, leading to their expulsion at the governor's insistence. This sparked rallies and marches in support of the expelled students, thrusting black students into the forefront of the civil rights movement in Alabama.
Another notable incident during Alabama's Civil Rights Movement was the entry of the Freedom Riders into the state in May 1961. The Freedom Riders were a racially integrated group of activists who travelled across the South to challenge racial discrimination in interstate travel, as mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960). On May 14, 1961, a mob of around 200 white men attacked the first bus of Freedom Riders in Anniston, firebombing the bus and assaulting the escaping riders. The presence of an Alabama Public Safety officer prevented any fatalities.
While Alabama's history is marked by these pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement, racism and discrimination persist, as evidenced by recent events. In November 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama received racist text messages, stating that they had "been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation." This incident sparked outrage and highlighted that the struggle for racial equality in Alabama continues.
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Frequently asked questions
Alabama has a history of racism and was at the centre of the Civil Rights Movement. While some claim that Alabama is not as racist as people make it out to be, others believe that racism is more institutionalised in Alabama than in other places. There have been instances of racist text messages being sent to Black university students in Alabama, as well as a case of an Iranian doctoral student being detained.
Alabama has been described as the poster child for institutional racism, with mass Black poverty, poor education and funding in Black-centric areas, and a prison system that profits from bringing in more prisoners. Additionally, segregation occurs in private schools and HBCUs, and there is a correlation between household income and academic performance, with most white students in honour classes.
In 2024, Black students at the University of Alabama received racist text messages telling them they had been "selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation". This incident caused outrage among students and parents, who felt that the university's response was insufficient.
Yes, in 2025, Alireza Doroudi, a mechanical engineering doctoral student at the University of Alabama from Iran, was detained in an immigration facility. This incident caused fear among the Iranian student community on campus, with some students being advised to "lay low" and "be invisible".
