The pledge was signed by 12 teachers the week before. It now has 14 pledges from Santa Cruz teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 19.
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. 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 |
|---|---|
| Maria Kersey | This is how the world will move forward instead of backwards. |
| Chelsie Osenga | I believe my students should be taught what equal rights & representation looks like. I want them all to grow into responsible citizens who participate in society in an active, productive way. |
| Lindsey Smith | “no comment” |
| Dane M. Paulsen | Truth is paramount in a civilized and moral society |
| Barbara Novelli | Our democracy demands informed citizens who can analyze events and make decisions based upon facts and on the greater good of our society. |
| Erin Wood | “no comment” |
| Katie Spencer | “no comment” |
| Stacy Newsom Kerr | History is not just propaganda that makes kids feel good about being American. It is real stories about real people that allows us to understand how we got where we are. That we would want otherwise means we only want mythology. |
| Kimberley Lenz | Change only comes with truth. |
| Patricia Lucas | Our children deserve to know the truth which will support them in knowing their own truth from which they will live their lives. |
| Mel Lindberg | “no comment” |
| Therese Johannesson | Lies about our country’s role in slavery, white supremacy and abuse of power adds deception to all other faults. Truth sets us free and allows us to move forward with integrity. |
| Jessica Murray | “no comment” |
| Arin Hunt | Children, my own and everyone else’s deserve better than this. If a bill like this passed in my state I would seriously consider leaving a profession I love and pulling my kids out of public school. It is horrifying that we are forced to defend the practice of teaching accurate history. I believe teaching what these bills describe should be REQUIRED, not prohibited. |
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