The Howard County Council issued a statement Monday denouncing recent reports of hate speech circulating on social media following last week’s election.
Officials said “horrible examples of behavior as a result of the election” have been reported in Howard County schools and also online. The County Council is asking parents and teachers to use these incidents to encourage dialogue among students.
“We must stand together against hate and intolerance of any type directed at any one in our community. Together, we can and we will get through these turbulent times and ensure Howard County remains one of the greatest places to live in the United States for everyone in our community,” officials said.
Last week, a student at Atholton High School in Columbia shared a racially charged photo on social media, prompting Howard County school officials and police to investigate the post.
RELATED: Atholton High student shares racially charged post on social media
Other schools are following suit, using the election results to give students a voice. School officials at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia are planning school-wide gathering Monday afternoon to “allow all students an opportunity to express their feelings and dialogue with peers and Wilde lake staff.” The meeting is scheduled to begin after school at 2:20 p.m.
Read the full statement from the Howard County Council:
This critical time in our history calls upon all Howard Countians to demonstrate why Howard County is one of the best places to live in the America. We have just completed a very heated and divisive campaign season, one that, regardless of which candidate people supported, has brought stress, concern, and anxiety to many in our community.
We know that it will take some time for healing and reflection. However, with the election now behind us, we must now focus on what brings us together. We must remember that Howard County's diversity is our strength as we move beyond 'tolerance' to the greater goal of embracing and understanding each other's differences and to reinforce our already strong sense of community.
Unfortunately, across the United States, we are seeing horrible examples of behavior as a result of the election from both those whose candidate won and those whose candidate loss. Worse yet, we are also receiving reports of similar incidents here in Howard County, a number of which are related to our students and teachers both while in school and through social media. We are deeply disappointed and saddened to hear this. There is no place in our community for any occurrence of hate speech and intimidation, no matter what the reason or who is being targeted. These actions and behaviors are not acceptable and must be rejected.
It is the public policy of our County, as outlined in the Human Rights Subsection of the Howard County Code, that that we "shall foster and encourage the growth and development of Howard County so that all persons shall have an equal opportunity to pursue their lives free of discrimination." It further elaborates that "Discrimination practices based upon: Race, Creed, Religion, Disability, Color, Sex, National origin, Age, Occupation, Marital status, Political opinion, Sexual orientation, Personal appearance, Familial status, Source of income, or Gender identity or expression, are contrary to the public policy of Howard County." We believe that both our words and our actions must support this as, we the council, stand firmly against actions to the contrary.
The results of any election, particularly this one, should neither embolden nor justify anyone to attack or threaten another person or group based upon who that person supported in the election or for any other reason; such behavior, particularly in our schools, must not and will not be tolerated.
The County Council is asking parents, educators, and other members of the community to do your part and urges you all to use this time in our history and these incidents as opportunities for teachable moments and open dialogue with our children and with our neighbors across the community. We pledge to do the same. We must stand together against hate and intolerance of any type directed at any one in our community. Together, we can and we will get through these turbulent times and ensure Howard County remains one of the greatest places to live in the United States for everyone in our community.
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