No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from Redondo Beach teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 new Redondo Beach teachers included “Our students—who will soon enough be politically involved adults—should be literate in the history of their nation. Our history is difficult and we must face and learn it in order to move forward in our relationships with each other as Americans. In the case of the influence of white supremacy on our nation’s history— which is all that “Critical Race Theory” amounts to — and the current efforts by Republican Party law makers, media pundits, and activists to censor the teaching of that history, it is important for educators to oppose and defy any effort to legislate the ignorance of our students. For this reason, I sign my name to this petition.” and “Students deserve the truth.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Peter Rappaport | I believe it's important that students learn the truth of our nation's history, instead of a sugar-coated version that denies the voices of marginalized groups and only uplifts one race/culture/ethnicity as a result. While it may be difficult for some people to accept, the only way forward is a brutally honest conversation that the future generations of leaders can use to change our world for the better. |
| Bridget Mahoney | “no comment” |
| David Dixon | Our students—who will soon enough be politically involved adults—should be literate in the history of their nation. Our history is difficult and we must face and learn it in order to move forward in our relationships with each other as Americans. In the case of the influence of white supremacy on our nation’s history— which is all that “Critical Race Theory” amounts to — and the current efforts by Republican Party law makers, media pundits, and activists to censor the teaching of that history, it is important for educators to oppose and defy any effort to legislate the ignorance of our students. For this reason, I sign my name to this petition. |
| Violeta Duran | Students deserve the truth. |
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