The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 24, the day before. It now has three pledges from Davenport 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 Davenport teachers included, "The idea that teachers should be limited in what they teach based on an incorrect perception of 'critical race theory' is unacceptable and also a very thinly veiled attempt to avoid huge swaths of American history and its role in persistent racist behaviors as a culture and as individuals" and "I taught children from all over the world in San Francisco for many years. How could I misrepresent our country and its true history to them much less the born citizens? How would I keep a child from China from knowing that there was no oppression of her/his people in California, or the boy from Africa about the truth of slavery and the Civil War? How would I teach Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day) when there were Natives in my class? Pretend I was superior to all those children and oh, I wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of the one or two white Americans amongst us? I am disgusted at our governor and lawmakers in Iowa. Real teachers don't lie".
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 |
|---|---|
| Anon Anon | I taught children from all over the world in San Francisco for many years. How could I misrepresent our country and its true history to them much less the born citizens? How would I keep a child from China from knowing that there was no oppression of her/his people in California, or the boy from Africa about the truth of slavery and the Civil War? How would I teach Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day) when there were Natives in my class? Pretend I was superior to all those children and oh, I wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of the one or two white Americans amongst us? I am disgusted at our governor and lawmakers in Iowa. Real teachers don't lie. |
| Carol Morgan | It is passed time to abolish white supremacy with the harm it has caused and use our white privilege to support the lives of all people of color. In order for progress to happen, this needs to begin in grade school, teaching the next generation the truth instead of the lies they will spend the rest of their lives unlearning. |
| Julia Leonard | The idea that teachers should be limited in what they teach based on an incorrect perception of 'critical race theory' is unacceptable and also a very thinly veiled attempt to avoid huge swaths of American history and its role in persistent racist behaviors as a culture and as individuals. |
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