'BLACK LIVES MATTER,' Anne Arundel County Board Of Education Says

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County Board of Education adopted a formal resolution at its Wednesday meeting, saying "BLACK LIVES MATTER." The measure passed unanimously.

The declaration says the board wants to teach students an honest recounting of American history. Advocates have called for schools across the country to teach more about the history of race in America. They say schools should cover the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, a riot and attack against Black-owned businesses in Oklahoma, and Junteenth, a holiday on June 19 that celebrates the freedom of the last slaves in the U.S.

"The Board unequivocally supports efforts being led by Superintendent George Arlotto and his staff to enhance opportunities for all of Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ students to more honestly understand and learn about the past, the present, and the role they can play moving forward to eradicate hate and bias from our beloved community," the proclamation says.

The decree further adds that it wants to teach students "kindness, acceptance, and inclusion." The board also seeks to "[increase] awareness and [unravel] the inequities that have been brought about by years of conscious and subconscious actions.

The statement comes three days after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot by Wisconsin police as he returned to his car.

"The Board of Education today unanimously adopted a resolution supporting Black Lives Matter," AACPS tweeted around 5 p.m.

The school board backtracked four hours later, clarifying that its support is for Black lives, not the organization Black Lives Matter.

"We stand united and say emphatically that BLACK LIVES MATTER," the board says.

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