The top of a hateful petition that circulated at a high school in Anne Arundel County, Md. (Copy of petition provided by Anne Arundel County schools)
By Donna St. George January 10
A white supremacist petition that circulated at a Maryland high school on Friday described African Americans as a “scourge,” said they “invented” rape, stealing and basketball, and spoke of “the supreme White race.” School officials immediately denounced the document and began an investigation.
The petition, labeled Kool Kids Klan — its three K’s underlined in a thinly veiled reference to the Ku Klux Klan — has led school leaders to pledge “the strongest possible actions” against any students involved.
George Arlotto, schools superintendent in Anne Arundel County, condemned the document in a letter to parents, saying it was shared during lunch Friday at Arundel High School, in Gambrills, Md. Several students are believed to have been involved, he said, and at least two students signed the petition.
“I am shocked, dismayed, and quite frankly angered that such a piece of material would be produced, much less appear in one of our schools,” he wrote. “It is unconscionable to me how anyone could believe this material is anything but horrifying, and it has absolutely no place in our schools or school system.”
As others voiced similar reactions, Anne Arundel police on Monday afternoon began investigating what they called an “indirect threat” against the school of 2,089 students, made in a tweet. Police said the threat appeared related to the Friday incident.
“We don’t think that threat is credible, but we are taking it very seriously,” said Anne Arundel police Lt. Ryan Frashure.
Arundel High School’s principal sent home a letter to parents Monday saying that she was saddened and stunned “by the mere existence of the petition, to say nothing of the wording used in it.” But she also said she was equally heartened by the resolve of staff, parents, students and the community.
“The collective message has been clear: Arundel High School will not be defined by this incident,” Principal Gina Davenport wrote. “We will remain one community that celebrates our diversity.”
Davenport asked parents and students to join her at the school this week to discuss “where we as a community go from here.”