No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Norwich 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.
The new Norwich teacher wrote “Racism and white supremacy has been a continuing ideology and set of policies and laws that any learner would need to understand to improve their community. No history can have any integrity without a thorough grounding in the events, social processes, legislation, conflicts, and belief systems of the countless agents for change and improvement towards racial justice and the legions of actors trying to hold back the beloved community.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| Karen Davenport-Diaz | It is important for all of us to know all of our history, good and bad. I feel for the students in those states who will not have access to key history unless their parents or communities can support them. |
| Steve Schumacher | Racism and white supremacy has been a continuing ideology and set of policies and laws that any learner would need to understand to improve their community. No history can have any integrity without a thorough grounding in the events, social processes, legislation, conflicts, and belief systems of the countless agents for change and improvement towards racial justice and the legions of actors trying to hold back the beloved community. |
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