No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Ketchikan teachers by the end of the week ending April 9.
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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.
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 |
|---|---|
| Valerie Brooks | only in teaching the true and accurate history of this country can we empower students to impact their communities, with knowledge and truth. |
| Valerie Brooks | The true history of this country must be acknowledged and taught. If a law has to be passed to hide the atrocities visited in people here and around the world in the name of the US, that’s your indication that light must be directed to those dark acts, we teach about them, and attempt to help students understand them. Only then can we help them move forward with truth. |
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