No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from Lincoln teachers by the end of the week ending April 9.
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 |
|---|---|
| Kara Viesca | The truth will set us free. |
| Stewart Venable | I value truth! |
| Carol Flora | “no comment” |
| Natalie Perez | As a future educator, I don't think this is just at all. I want to continue to help change the world on my journey to become an educator, though this won't affect my state I can't believe the possibility of this being acceptable ANYWHERE. We will not be silenced! As a future teacher of color our future generations deserve the truth. |
| Becky Boswell | I teach the real history of America, not a made up version that always paints the U.S. in a perfect light. Students need to understand the complex, and often ugly, history of our country in order to understand where we are today. |
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