No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Shawnee teachers by the end of the week ending March 19.
They’re one of the thousands of US teachers pledging to continue educating students about the controversial Critical Race Theory, which explains racism is embedded in US culture and politics.
Though the concept was first suggested in the late 70’s, it has recently exploded as a contentious issue between the American right and left in the last two years.
Many who signed the pledge are defying state bans on the teachings. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.
In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, Ashley Varner of the Freedom Foundation accused the Zinn Education Project of providing “left-leaning propaganda to teachers.”
| Teachers | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Joylyn Weikum | Silence is not neutral. Silence perpetuates the inequitable status quo. If we can’t say what racism is, then how do we stop what racism does? |
| Michele Gaston | Because history is not negotiable. Whether it be the Indians the slaves racismEtc. Children should be taught the truth. “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” Edmund Burke |
| Nicole Dobronski | the truth is the truth. Altering history makes liars of us all and puts us a step closer to re-committing the mistakes of the past. I will not take part in that future. |
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