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 El Cerrito teachers included, "To understand how we got here and what we as a nation need to do to go forward, we need, and our students need, to understand what has happened in the past. It is patriotic to learn true history and how our country can be better" and "Even at the college level so much of our history and our present is not taught or shared with students".
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 |
|---|---|
| Anna Gustafson | To understand how we got here and what we as a nation need to do to go forward, we need, and our students need, to understand what has happened in the past. It is patriotic to learn true history and how our country can be better |
| Jessica Papalia | No comment |
| Karley Umoru | No comment |
| Landi E. | No comment |
| Michelle Katz | Even at the college level so much of our history and our present is not taught or shared with students. |
| Zach Wyner | No comment |
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