2 new teachers in Chesapeake pledge to teach controversial Critical Race Theory in week ending Dec. 25

By South Tidewater News

Dec 26, 2021

Critical Race Theory will be taught by two more teachers in Chesapeake, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Chesapeake teachers by the end of the week ending Dec. 25.

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 Chesapeake teacher wrote “NOT ONLY IS THE BANNING OF THESE EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS IGNORANT, BUT DANGEROUS. WHEN A GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL SCHOOL OF THOUGHT STARTS TO RESTRICT EDUCATION, HISTORY IS BOUND TO REPEAT ITSELF. OPINIONS ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY MAY BE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT ESSENTIALLY BANNING CIVIC EDUCATION AND ERASING THE STRUGGLES OF AMERICAN MINORITIES IS AN ACT OF RACIAL AND SEX-BASED VIOLENCE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.” 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 in Chesapeake who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Synnika Alek-Chizoba Lofton	American students need a thorough investigation of American history, including all the racist, sexist, and violent acts that are embedded in that history. America cannot continue to hide its historical sins, while praising specific individuals of the past.
Sydney Begin	“no comment”
Anja Hall	NOT ONLY IS THE BANNING OF THESE EDUCATIONAL CONCEPTS IGNORANT, BUT DANGEROUS. WHEN A GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL SCHOOL OF THOUGHT STARTS TO RESTRICT EDUCATION, HISTORY IS BOUND TO REPEAT ITSELF. OPINIONS ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY MAY BE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT ESSENTIALLY BANNING CIVIC EDUCATION AND ERASING THE STRUGGLES OF AMERICAN MINORITIES IS AN ACT OF RACIAL AND SEX-BASED VIOLENCE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.