BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — The Board of Education for Baltimore County has released a statement regarding racism and the recent events involving the death of George Floyd.
The statement says in part that the Board abhor's the horrific deaths and understands the civic unrest. They state that what is needed now is open and honest communication as well as transparency in the community to move forward.
Their full statement can be read below:
We, the Board of Education of Baltimore County, abhor the horrific deaths of African Americans around the country and understand the civic unrest; feelings most recently displayed in many American cities. The killings of unarmed U.S. citizens Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and most recently George Floyd in Minnesota have sparked protests around the country.
The current civil unrest during the COVID-19 pandemic only adds to the African American community’s collective trauma. Communities of color already disproportionately affected by the virus may see even greater numbers of cases in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
What is needed now is open and honest communication and transparency to move our communities and nation forward. The Board looks forward to continuing conversations with each other and with Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams and BCPS staff to address issues of systemic and institutional racism, as well as closing gaps of inequity within our school system. We are stronger together. We encourage the community to also read the statement to the community issued by Dr. Williams and to take advantage of the additional supports being offered to our school communities.
