The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 24, the day before. It now has two pledges from Scottdale 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 Scottdale teachers included, "We must teach the truth - the whole truth - to our students if we are ever to affect change!" and "I am fed up with the scare tactics the GOP is using to scare teachers from talking about race and racism which is present in our systems of power and need to be addressed and discussed in classrooms so that we can do prevent this cycle of hatred from taking hold on our country".
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 |
---|---|
Amelia Copp | I am fed up with the scare tactics the GOP is using to scare teachers from talking about race and racism which is present in our systems of power and need to be addressed and discussed in classrooms so that we can do prevent this cycle of hatred from taking hold on our country. |
Daniele Xenos | We must teach the truth - the whole truth - to our students if we are ever to affect change! |