No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from Salem teachers by the end of the week ending Sep. 18.
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Heather Maes | It is our job as educators to tell the truth. |
| Jill Tully | “no comment” |
| Alexandra Kirby | students have a right to be presented with historical fact and to be encouraged to think critically. Classrooms are meant to be safe spaces where dialogic opportunities arise, and the historical, systemic injustices in our country are worthy of discussion. Denial of certain topics in the classroom denies students' freedom and antithesizes American values. |
| Kate Milano | We can’t move forward without transparency about our past and honest and critical examination whose stories are told and whose are missing. |
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