By Currier Times Staff///

UPDATE: November 8, 2024

The FBI is now involved in tracking down the person or persons responsible for sending racist text messages to Curry College students and others all around the country. The texts targeted people of color with messages centering on slavery and plantation work.

In Massachusetts, students at Stoughton High School also received the messages.

According to a report on CNN’s website, the Federal Communication Commission is also investigating the texts, with the FCC Chair, Jessica Rosenworcel stating, “These messages are unacceptable. We take this type of targeting very seriously.”

Authorities believe the texts have been originating from overseas, but more investigation is necessary to pinpoint just who is sending them.

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Hateful and racist text messages sent to Curry College students overnight has led to increased vigilance on the Curry campus. Administrators said that other colleges were hit with the same, disturbing, messages.

In one text viewed by The Currier Times, the message said that they needed the person to “pick cotton” among other hateful lines.

The college, in a November 7th email, said that these texts did not originate from campus and that other students at colleges nationwide had received them too.

Juan Hernandez, Curry’s Vice-President of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, said in the email that they are taking the texts very seriously.

“This is extremely concerning and we want to support any student who may have been affected.” wrote Hernandez, in the email.

In addition, the Diversity Center was letting students know they will be discussing the incident between 3 to 5 p.m. (Nov. 7th) in the center located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center.

Other assistance is as follows, according to the email:

• Counseling Services are available 24/7 for students by calling 617-333-2908 
• Dr. Juan M. Hernandez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging 617-333-2394 or juan.hernandez@curry.edu 
• Marcus Hill, Director, Diversity Center, marcus.hill@curry.edu 
• Patrice Rose, Director of Spiritual Life, patrice.rose@curry.edu 
• Elizabeth Helmreich, Wellness Coordinator, elizabeth.helmreich@curry.edu 

Residence Life staff are available in each residence hall and the CD On Duty can be reached by calling Public Safety at 617-333-2222 at any hour. 

“We want every member of our community to feel safe and supportive on our campus,” said Hernandez. “We will continue to monitor these types of incidents and provide any needed services to our students.”