3 more Norfolk teachers pledge to teach Critical Race Theory in week ending March 12 despite controversy

By South Tidewater News

Mar 18, 2022

Critical Race Theory will be taught by three more teachers in Norfolk, 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 Norfolk teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.

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 Norfolk teachers included “I want my students to grow into responsible, active, educated citizens so that they can continue this great democratic experiment our founding fathers put forth.” and “Systemic racism is factually a part of our country’s history and it must be named and recognized in order for us to do and be better. As an educator of young people it is my obligation to be honest about hard history”.

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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.

Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.

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 Norfolk who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Blair Ellson	I want my students to grow into responsible, active, educated citizens so that they can continue this great democratic experiment our founding fathers put forth.
Pam Kitterman	Systemic racism is factually a part of our country’s history and it must be named and recognized in order for us to do and be better. As an educator of young people it is my obligation to be honest about hard history
Marena Davis	history matters! It is important to tell students the truth so that they can see how and why America and the surrounding world is the way that it is. With truthful information, students will be better informed citizens who can hopefully make politically correct decisions. If we want to see a change in America, we must tell the truth!