No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from San Luis Obispo teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
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 |
|---|---|
| Loni Kirk | My students deserve to be empowered by the truth. They deserve to analyze history and current struggles so that they can participate in society with a clear and just vision for the future. |
| Kalea Conrad | “no comment” |
| Stephanie Lee | The children and citizens of the United States of America deserve a full education of this country's history; including it's history of oppression of people of color, and people of minority religions and gender/sexual identities and how that has created our nation today. |
| Courtney M. | “no comment” |
| Stefany Gary | “no comment” |
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