No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has one pledge from Newberry teachers by the end of the week ending Aug. 28.
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 Newberry teacher wrote “Because the only way for this nation to truly live up to its stated ideals--which have never been as universal as they should have been and as they must be--is for educators to teach the truth(s) about American history, ALL of them, and for us to discuss those truths and their tangled legacies with our students and our communities. We are in a moment in which that long-overdue education and conversation MUST happen for our nation to become what it can and should be.” 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. 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 |
|---|---|
| Tracy J. Power | Because the only way for this nation to truly live up to its stated ideals--which have never been as universal as they should have been and as they must be--is for educators to teach the truth(s) about American history, ALL of them, and for us to discuss those truths and their tangled legacies with our students and our communities. We are in a moment in which that long-overdue education and conversation MUST happen for our nation to become what it can and should be. |
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