No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Tucker teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 12.
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 Tucker teachers included “Telling the truth about American history helps free them from oppressive systems.” and “Education is an evolving process. It is wrong to tell the stories of one group without acknowledging those of the other. If education is to continue as an honest institution, we must all commit to growing with it.”.
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 |
---|---|
Nicole Steverson | Telling the truth about American history helps free them from oppressive systems. |
Alison Cundiff | Education is an evolving process. It is wrong to tell the stories of one group without acknowledging those of the other. If education is to continue as an honest institution, we must all commit to growing with it. |