The pledge was signed by one teacher the week before. It now has 12 pledges from Somerville 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 |
|---|---|
| Jenna Dinovis | “no comment” |
| Joanna Tsacoyeanes | “no comment” |
| Erika Riddington | I will not be censored when it comes to documented facts about our history including the recollections and expressions of people’s lived experiences, particularly with regard to the pervasive and pernicious influence of racism in shaping systems that have and continue unfairly to deprive people from equal opportunity with liberty and justice for all. |
| Connor Sheridan | I will always teach the truth, no matter what. |
| Brandon Hagan | Knowledge is the only way forward. We cannot reckon with the past until we address how racism has shaped this country going all the way back to 1619. |
| Melissa Moore | “no comment” |
| Garret Virchick | To gag teachers from teaching about systemic racism in the United States is one step closer to fascism. |
| Lawrence Aaronson | Howard Zinn's (a long time personal friend) Peoples History was my signature history text. Actually "Howie" spoke to my students several times, and also addressed the whole of Cambridge Rindge and Latin on numerous occasions. |
| Julia Gouvea | “no comment” |
| Donna Peruzzi | withholding the truth is a form of lying |
| Marissa Roque | Teaching about the history of our country is our job. This history cannot be taught without an understanding of race and it’s impact on people today. |
| Antoinette Delmonico | Education, conversation and learning is what makes our society capable of changing and caring for all it's memebrs. |
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