The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 21, the day before. It now has five pledges from Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon teachers included, "I am signing my name because opponents of teaching social justice in schools fail to understand that all that means is teaching young people to think critically about the society in which they exist and to use their voices -- both individually and collectively -- to make change that benefits everyone. Instead, opponents appropriate and misuse concepts and labels, and choose poorly conceived talking points... a stark absence of the very critical thinking that we want young people to practice" and "I refuse to lie and whitewash our history".
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 |
|---|---|
| Jacob Galfano | I am signing my name because opponents of teaching social justice in schools fail to understand that all that means is teaching young people to think critically about the society in which they exist and to use their voices -- both individually and collectively -- to make change that benefits everyone. Instead, opponents appropriate and misuse concepts and labels, and choose poorly conceived talking points... a stark absence of the very critical thinking that we want young people to practice. |
| Kristie Lindsay | No comment |
| Megan Altman | No comment |
| Patrice Becicka | I refuse to lie and whitewash our history. |
| Wendy Green | It is morally incomprehensible to work to erase people's worth and history simply because the truth makes one uncomfortable. It is anti-God and anti-everything that is right and just. |
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