The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 17, the day before. It now has three pledges from Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake teachers included, "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" and "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".
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 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Sydney Begin | No comment |
| 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. |
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