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 Fayetteville teachers included, "We deserve the full truth" and "Education is the first step in understanding and identifying changeZ the work begins with the hope of understanding our past".
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 |
|---|---|
| Francena Turner | We deserve the full truth. |
| Jamiere Abney | It is key for Young people to recognize the context of history that continues to impact the world today. Further, BIPOC, low income, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized populations, deserve for their narrative to be integrated in daily learning to create proper empathy and understanding. |
| Latasha MacK | Education is the first step in understanding and identifying changeZ the work begins with the hope of understanding our past |
| Lillian Baker | I am proud to teach African American history. When I am teaching US history I make sure that my Black students see the courage, determination, and genius of our people. I do not want another Black child to think that African Americans made no contribution to the development of the US. |
| Michelle Wolchok | I will not lie to my students. |
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