The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 20, the day before. It now has five pledges from Vista 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 Vista teachers included, "We need to teach the truth about our history, so we can learn from it. #STEAM #SEL" and "The truth matters. Students deserve to have the space and skills needed to critically think about the world around them".
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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Atkins-Gabriel | The truth matters. Students deserve to have the space and skills needed to critically think about the world around them. |
| Donna Penney | The truth is the truth. The facts are the facts. If you're embarrassed by your history, then the only way to notrepeat it is to learn about it. No group has the right to control knowledge.History has always been written by the victors. Being victorious doesn't make you right. Look at:- White Europeans vs Native Americans-Columbus vs Arawak-Nazis vs Jews/Gypsies/homosexuals/disabled people/anyone who opposed him, and many others-Pol Pot vs the Cambodian people***Past behavior is not cleansed through ignorance.*** |
| Jane Silva | I believe everyone matters and the truth matters. |
| Jane Silva | We need to teach the truth about our history, so we can learn from it. #STEAM #SEL |
| Kristin Childs | I can both love my country and acknowledge that there are problems in our past and present that need to be addressed. My son is biracial. He has grown up knowing that his lighter skin gives him different treatment in some parts of our country than his darker skinned father, aunts, and cousins experience. This injustice and inequity have gone on long enough. We do our students a disservice by not teaching them the truth about our past. They are our future. They can be part of the solution if we are honest with them about where we have come from and where we still are as a country if we do not actively work for change together. |
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