The pledge was signed by one teacher the week before. It now has 11 pledges from Richmond 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 |
|---|---|
| Dwayne Warren | “no comment” |
| Sedona Hill | “no comment” |
| 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. |
| Kate Linneman | “no comment” |
| 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. |
| Avilee Goodwin | My students deserve the chance to learn the actual history of what this country is and has been. |
| 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. |
| Nicole Raeburn C.D. Ph. | “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! |
| Mujahidun Sumchai | Lying to students is unacceptable. Please read Lies My Teacher Told Me. (1995) James W. Lowen New York: TouchstoneBe Well. |
| Susan Binder | Because I believe in teaching the truth when I was in school we were lied to abut the Black Panthers and War protesters |
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