The pledge was signed by eight teachers the week before. It now has 11 pledges from Richmond teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 22.
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 |
|---|---|
| Fay Chelmow | The truth will set us free |
| Sarah Jane Brubaker | Students need to know an accurate history of our country in order to participate fully in creating a more just society. |
| Kathryn Haynes | “no comment” |
| Pam Smith | Truth-telling is the only path to transformation. |
| Pam Smith | We can only progress when we face the past with honesty and transform it. |
| Sarah Crenshaw | “no comment” |
| Brenna Barringer | “no comment” |
| Laura Wilkinson | I believe that if we continue to whitewash the events of the past, we are doomed to repeat them. Haven't we seen the damage of not learning from our past already? |
| Andrew Maryniuk | Our history can't be rewritten, but we will repeat and relive it if we try to ignore it. Truth and reconciliation over toothless, poisonous fictions. |
| Sally Schuler | Teaching honest history is the key to a free society. |
| Leslie Saul | “no comment” |
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