No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from Henderson teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 new Henderson teachers included “The truth about the history of the U.S.A. must be learned to understand the structures in place. There's inequity in schools. The inequity has to be dismantled through truth.” and “Our students deserve to be taught the truth so that we never forget and we continue to teach children who grow up to become adults committed to education for liberation.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Malissa Miles | “no comment” |
| Chrystan Young | The truth will set you free. |
| Walls Tonya | Our students deserve to be taught the truth so that we never forget and we continue to teach children who grow up to become adults committed to education for liberation. |
| Rosemary Q. Flores | The truth about the history of the U.S.A. must be learned to understand the structures in place. There's inequity in schools. The inequity has to be dismantled through truth. |
| Wanda Keith | It is time to tell the truth. |
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