During what has already been a tense week for many Americans, primarily surrounding the emotions of the election season, reports of extremely racist messages being received across the United States began circulating on Wednesday morning.

News outlets indicate that as early as Wednesday morning, November 6th, several reports of similar, racially driven text messages from anonymous sources were received. WCNC, out of Charlotte North Carolina, before noon on the 6th, reported that 'the text messages vary slightly in wording and come from different numbers.' Several of the reports indicate that the number the message originates from is different, but is specific in addressing the recipient by their actual name.

The text of the message allegedly asks recipients to 'report to a plantation to pick cotton.'

Yahoo News reports that many of the messages are targeting Black Americans, inferring that they have been selected to be 'enslaved and assigned to pick cotton on a plantation.' Since the initial reports on Wednesday, more and more messages have been received, following the same script, across the states.

It appears that students are the target audience for the racially driven messages, with the Columbus, Ohio NAACP President calling it 'racism at its highest.'

I believe it is a hate crime as I see it.

This afternoon, one of our students received the same text message which has been reported by various news agencies across the country. We are conveying this information to our families so that all are aware of these hateful messages. We have also contacted and are working with Local, County and State Law Enforcement agencies regarding this issue.

The message closed with directions to WCSD families that should their child receive one of these messages, they are to notify the local law enforcement agency.