Councilmember At-Large Gabe Albornoz released the following statement on Thursday, December 12, regarding an incident where a racial slur was found written on a student’s desk at Wootton High School in Rockville.
The racist incident at Wootton High School is deeply disturbing and serves as a reminder of the persistent presence of institutional racism. This issue is not confined to one school, one county, one state, or one region – it is a systemic challenge that we must confront collectively and with urgency. Racism and hatred of any kind have no place in Montgomery County. We must end any and all attacks on individuals because of their race, religion or ethnicity and we must protect our youth.
I commend Superintendent Dr. Taylor for addressing this matter with thoughtful correspondence and leadership. I remain steadfast in my commitment to supporting both ongoing and new initiatives that advance racial equity and social justice within the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) community and across Montgomery County.
This incident has caused deep pain and justifiable outrage. Acts of hate harm individuals, fracture the trust within our community, and weaken the bonds of empathy and solidarity that make us stronger together. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye nor grow complacent when discrimination occurs; instead, we must respond with intentional and persistent action.
As we embrace the values of this season of giving, let us commit to spreading kindness, compassion, and understanding. We must also redouble our efforts to dismantle prejudice, challenge systemic inequities, and foster a culture rooted in inclusion, accountability, and mutual respect. Together, we can build a community where every individual feels valued, safe, and empowered to thrive.
View this post on Instagram