The pledge was signed by no teachers on Nov. 28, the day before. It now has 24 pledges from Richmond teachers.
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.
Comments from Richmond teachers included, "I believe that if we continue to whitewash the events of the past, we are doomed to repeat them. Haven't we seen the damage of not learning from our past already?" and "Students need to know an accurate history of our country in order to participate fully in creating a more just society".
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. Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and South Dakota, have denounced the teachings without passing specific legislation.
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 |
|---|---|
| Andrew Maryniuk | Our history can't be rewritten, but we will repeat and relive it if we try to ignore it. Truth and reconciliation over toothless, poisonous fictions. |
| Avilee Goodwin | My students deserve the chance to learn the actual history of what this country is and has been. |
| Brenna Barringer | No comment |
| Fay Chelmow | The truth will set us free |
| Julia Snippen | CRT is essential to moving forward with our eyes and hearts open. CRT is essential to moving toward justice for BIPOC and all marginalized communities and people.CRT is essential so children can think for themselves. |
| Kate Linneman | No comment |
| Kathryn Haynes | No comment |
| Laura Garriguez | We teach history so our youth can learn from past struggles and build a society for the well-being of all humanity and the planet. A history that serves as a tool to break away from oppression in all its forms. Long live the Zinn Education Project! |
| Laura Wilkinson | I believe that if we continue to whitewash the events of the past, we are doomed to repeat them. Haven't we seen the damage of not learning from our past already? |
| Leah Licari | Every single one of your students deserves to learn the truth - always. |
| Leah Licari | Our students deserve the truth. They deserve to hear multiple perspectives |
| Leslie Saul | No comment |
| Linda Huerta | I grew up in Richmond, CA and all of the teachers that I’ve had, have always told us the truth about history in the United States, they don’t sugarcoat anything. I am a strong believer that our future generations deserve to know the truth and shouldn’t be “brainwashed” or kept away from the true history to this country. If my generation was able to put 2 and 2 together, and we weren’t taught exactly every single thing, then everything would make sense to the newer generations with the politics within this country that they have seen. |
| Meredith Meece-Bateman | Our students deserve truth in their history classes. They can handle hard topics with critical thinking. It's a shame that most politicians can't. |
| Mujahidun Sumchai | Lying to students is unacceptable. Please read Lies My Teacher Told Me. (1995) James W. Lowen New York: TouchstoneBe Well. |
| Mujahidun Sumchai | Lying to students must stop. I had teachers that lied to me in high school. Withholding the truth of events in our society eventually becomes known. These cultural/social healing conversations are essential and necessary. People will NOT hate each other but learn to appreciate the all of us in a true social democracy. I had to wait for college, graduate school and professional school to learn non-eurocentric ideas that benefit our worlds today. And, that student loan debt is so big it will outlive me. |
| Nicole Raeburn C.D. Ph. | No comment |
| Pam Smith | Truth-telling is the only path to transformation. |
| Pam Smith | We can only progress when we face the past with honesty and transform it. |
| Sally Schuler | Teaching honest history is the key to a free society. |
| Sara Ainsworth | TRUTH MATTERS #socialjusticeadvocate |
| Sarah Crenshaw | No comment |
| Sarah Jane Brubaker | Students need to know an accurate history of our country in order to participate fully in creating a more just society. |
| Susan Cintra | Students should learn how to critically think and that means learning and examining multiple perspectives to reach a conclusion. |
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