The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 6, the day before. It now has 20 pledges from Durham 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 Durham teachers included, "As James Baldwin reminds us, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" and "I have an ethical responsibility to teach the truth. Because my students deserve to know the role of racism, heterosexism, sexism, and oppression throughout US history. Because grappling with the truth is necessary to transform".
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 |
|---|---|
| Angie Ma | I pledge to teach the truth and refuse to lie about the role of racism, sexism , and oppression. |
| Ashley Brewster | I never learned complete history in school and I refuse to keep my kids from knowing truth. |
| Dawn Henderson | The truth is what will set us free |
| Evan Greaves | I will not be complicit in the whitewashing of history and I refuse to be silenced. |
| Holly Hardin | I have an ethical responsibility to teach the truth. Because my students deserve to know the role of racism, heterosexism, sexism, and oppression throughout US history. Because grappling with the truth is necessary to transform. |
| Holly Jordan | No comment |
| Katherine Metcalf | No comment |
| Katie Kizzie | Critical race theory and racial & social justice education are crucial to changing our culture and society to promote the success of ALL people. We have to stop whitewashing history and teach the true history of our country. |
| Kendra Lampron | No comment |
| Kyle Francis | We don't hate or despise the US. We are acknowledging the shortcomings of our nation, so that our youth can create a more perfect union going forward. |
| Lesley Mace | True reconciliation cannot happen until the truth of our history is faced honestly and bravely. It is because I love this country that I want to encourage students to see it for its triumphs and faults and to empower my students to make it a country that serves ALL. |
| Martha Gensemer-Ramirez | No comment |
| Mary Beth Braker | As James Baldwin reminds us, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. |
| Paula Salvio | No comment |
| Robert Gotwals | Teachers need to be able to address difficult issues in the classroom |
| Ronda Taylor Bullock Phd | We deserve to live in a society rooted in truth and liberation. Whitewashing our country's history will not get us there. |
| Sarah Meyer | It is critical that young children are helped to feel seen and safe as they build positive identities, build language to describe unfairness, and are supported to recognize and interrupt racism as unfair and hurtful patterns. |
| Shavonne Joyner | telling the truth will allow our country to heal and move forward. |
| Victoria Mazur | No comment |
| Vivian Jablonski | Students deserve to know the truth! We have a responsibility to teach them the facts so they can come to their own logical conclusions. |
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