No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has seven pledges from Chico teachers by the end of the week ending Sep. 11.
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 |
|---|---|
| Lindsay Briggs | I believe in teaching all sides of an issue and letting people hear critical perspectives so they can come to their own conclusions. |
| Linda Serrato | We need to teach the true history of the U.S. or our country is doomed. |
| Don Collins | What's the point of studying history if we don't try to get to the truth. Racism is on the wrong side of history. |
| Erin Whitney | The only way to move forward as a nation is to work through the trauma of the past. Doing this doesn't "teach hate" but helps students grapple with the roots of racial inequality in our country, think critically, and avoid making similar mistakes. Hiding the truth doesn't make it go away. |
| Celine O. | If we do not learn our true history, we are doomed to repeat it. I believe one of the most important things we can teach our young people today is to think critically, and without teaching the truth, how can we expect them to learn to think for themselves? To question and consider? To celebrate their own heritage and/or learn how to do better? |
| Lesa Johnson | People need to understand the history before we can create “liberty and justice for all.” |
| Erin Whitney | Young people need to know the truth about the past in order to create change for the future. |
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