No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Hickory teachers by the end of the week ending March 19.
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. 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 | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Delene Huggins | Our state has just adopted new Social Studies standards and i am reading about backlash. The term Critical Race Theory is being used without any understanding that term is misleading and you can teach basic truths without it. If students and parents are upset about events in our past then I feel like I have done my job. |
| Josh Nixon | students need to understand the problems of America’s past and present in order to form a better future, and it’s essential for teachers to guide their students through the struggles of coming to grips with reality. |
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