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 Charlotte teachers included, "The past needs to be thoroughly examined. Each student should have a fair chance of learning history from a non-skewed perception. Our future is owed this" and "All students deserve the opportunity to learn about the contributions their ancestors made to the United States. If we hope to end systemic racism and oppression, white students in particular need to learn the truth of our nation’s history before we can ever hope to make change".
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 |
|---|---|
| Brianna Carter | To tell the truth about history is to celebrate the resilience of my family history within the thread of American and world history. Furthermore, in teaching civics, students are able to recognize the pain and promise of our country. |
| Chris Wiggins | The past needs to be thoroughly examined. Each student should have a fair chance of learning history from a non-skewed perception. Our future is owed this. |
| Dina Modine | I believe we only learn through true stories we share with one another. History is alive. It involves context, perspective and people…all of which must be honored and respected for us to work together for US…not one group, but all people. |
| Donna Charneskie | Truth matters Critical thinking mattersDemocracy dies in darkness |
| Ely Karen | No comment |
| Erica Ince | History was been whitewashed. We’re so scared of hurting someone’s feeling or offending someone, we sugarcoat the truth. Not being honest about our history is what is causing most of our countries problems. We can’t fix them if we don’t face them. |
| Jocelyn Roundtree | As a social studies teacher this is very near and dear to me. I pride myself on providing my students with well rounded views of the world we live in and have absolutely NO PLANS on discontinuing the practice in the future. Truth is relative...BUT...everyone's truth deserves to be heard and acknowledged! |
| Kari Wimbish | No comment |
| Karla Randle-Jackson | I currently teach in North Carolina and our school did a year long book study on White Fragility as a faculty and staff. It was the most impactful experience for us all. I was one of three people of color who were leading the study. There are only six other persons of color in our lower school division which means the remainder of the faculty are white. The feedback from faculty was positive and they shared that it opened their eyes to things they never knew or considered. They learned many new truths. This is why it is imperative that the truth continues to be told about the injustices that have existed in this country since the beginning of it’s inception. The truth will set us all free. |
| Kate Hughey | I believe in the initial promise of our country and the words of the declaration. I want to be part of the solution and believe children deserve to know their country's honest, full history. |
| Laurel Brooks | I can’t believe it has come to this, teachers need to pledge we will speak truth to our students? But here we are. Of course I will, that is the default my students deserve. |
| Lauren Dachille | No comment |
| Leslie Freeman | I care about the truth, and the lies have caused irreparable damage to so many Americans!!! |
| Leslie Gutierrez | Critical race theory (CRT) is a theoretocal framework that emerged in response to institutionalized racism. CRT is Equity Research! I am signing this petition because CRT Scholars and students deserve the freedom to discuss and analyze the country’s history using multiple theoretical lenses. Equity cannot be obtained by employing a colorblind theoretical lens in a race-based nation that continues to privilege (teach) fragmented (Eurocentric) versions of our country’s history over other’s truths (lived experiences).All students deserve to be given the opportunity to be “free-thinkers” by having a variety of theories and methods to critically analyze why/how institutionalized systems are inequitable for some and not others. |
| Leslie Neilsen | There is ugly truth we need to learn about. It’s hard to hear the truth, but we are a nation of humans…and humans are subject to make mistakes. It’s how we grow. |
| Lori Dicenzo Carter | All students deserve the opportunity to learn about the contributions their ancestors made to the United States. If we hope to end systemic racism and oppression, white students in particular need to learn the truth of our nation’s history before we can ever hope to make change. |
| Melissa Easley | we should no longer be presenting whitewashed history. |
| Monica Bullock | I believe that students should know the truth about history, not a white-washed one. |
| Ronny Reddig | I pledge to teach the truth. |
| Susan Ohanian | Those who cannot understand the past are condemned to repeat it. |
| Tina Shull | I am committed to ethnic studies, racial and environmental justice, and teaching the full US story |
| Tracy Kennedy | I will not lie to my students, I will not ignore the history of my students of color, I will not be silent in supporting my students. |
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