Massachusetts high school, college students among targets of racist texts

State of play: Stoughton High School students received a text message saying they have been "selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation," the district wrote in a Facebook post last week.

• The source of the messages is unknown, the district wrote. 
• Students at Curry College in Milton received similar messages, per the Currier Times.

What they're saying: "We understand that receiving a message like this is profoundly disturbing and can cause emotional distress and fear, especially for our students and staff of color," Stoughton Public Schools wrote. 

Zoom out: The messages have been sent to students across the country, from Columbus, Ohio, to Richmond, Virginia.

• The FBI issued a statement saying it is discussing the messages with federal authorities.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story featured a photo of the wrong school. The texts targeted students of Stoughton High (not Stoneham High).