The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 8, the day before. It now has seven pledges from Racine 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 Racine teachers included, "I feel our students deserve to know the truth about our history, and be taught the history most of us did not learn about in school" and "if the truths of equality matter in the United States, that every individual is deserving of "life, liberty, and the pursuit happiness," then the truths of our country's past and present have to be known and named for a tomorrow to exist".
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 |
|---|---|
| Jody Zirkelbach | I feel our students deserve to know the truth about our history, and be taught the history most of us did not learn about in school. |
| Jody Zirkelbach | It is important for us to share ALL of our history and not just what is comfortable for us to recall. Our children deserve to know the truth about the past so they can make informed decisions about how to act and what to do in the future. |
| Keith Kohlmann | Only the truth can set you free... |
| Luz Cartagena | No comment |
| Melissa Sims | Our children are the future. They need to have 100% facts about history if they want to have a chance for a better world. It is unfair for our children to be lied to in the school system. The school systems benefit monetarily from all children, especially children of color, to be enrolled. Why should we continue to keep our school systems funded if they are lying to the students. I think it would be admirable and teach a valuable lesson, if we as a country can admit the mistakes of the past and work together to avoid repeating them. |
| Rachel Zuffa | if the truths of equality matter in the United States, that every individual is deserving of "life, liberty, and the pursuit happiness," then the truths of our country's past and present have to be known and named for a tomorrow to exist. |
| Robin Kreines | Truth is empowerment.Anything less is control of others. |
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