No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Pittsburg teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 Pittsburg teachers included “No one should be allowed to re-write or censor the narrative to fit an agenda. History has to stay untouched.” and “Children must be taught the truth. The only way for our society to move towards equity for all is by studying the true history of 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 |
|---|---|
| Yvonne Burton-Smith | Children must be taught the truth. The only way for our society to move towards equity for all is by studying the true history of our country. |
| Sasha Leveton | No one should be allowed to re-write or censor the narrative to fit an agenda. History has to stay untouched. |
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