The pledge was signed by 13 teachers on March 9, the day before. It now has 22 pledges from Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis teachers included, "1. We can only grow as a society if we face our collective sins and challenges head-on.2. I respect my students enough to give them the full truth (good, bad, & ugly) and allow them to think critically about it, drawing their own conclusions. 3. One of the core values of the United States is Free Speech. We can't have it both ways, saying that speech can only be "free" when we agree with it. No one respects a hypocrite" and "Not being permitted to talk about what really happened in this country is criminal".
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 |
|---|---|
| Aj Lentz | We will never move forward if we can’t learn from the past. |
| Allison Segarra Hansen | No comment |
| Christiann MacLean | I have an obligation to teach my students the truth. |
| Cindi Pastore | Our students need the tool of truth to make this world better. |
| Clare Wildhack-Nolan | No comment |
| Elizabeth Culp | As a POC I’m determined to make a difference and break generationally chains |
| Emily Rutter | No comment |
| Emma Cudahy | No comment |
| Franklin Oliver | Truth matters. Always. |
| James Iddins | 1. We can only grow as a society if we face our collective sins and challenges head-on.2. I respect my students enough to give them the full truth (good, bad, & ugly) and allow them to think critically about it, drawing their own conclusions. 3. One of the core values of the United States is Free Speech. We can't have it both ways, saying that speech can only be "free" when we agree with it. No one respects a hypocrite. |
| Joshua Swem | No comment |
| Julia Goldburg | No comment |
| Kassi Hall | Our children must know the past in order to impact our future. |
| Kate Branson | Trust teachers! |
| Kathleen Marrs | No comment |
| Leticia Alvarez | I believe that the truth needs to be taught in public schools. It saddens me to see so many children in my classroom with very low self esteem. If we could only teach them how much people of color have contributed to this nation, maybe they would be encouraged to strive for good grades, to participate in their education. |
| Luke Lofland | Because the Tulsa Massacre should not be a "Today I Learned" thread |
| Madeline Higgins | No comment |
| Madeline Higgins | Students of all ages and backgrounds deserve an honest education, and dedicated educators who are willing to imagine a better world with them. |
| Myra Haase | There is a danger in anytime there is a single story. “History can only teach its lesson if it is remembered,” and history is not just 'in the past' it has and is shaping our students present. They are agents for the future. They need to have the truth if they are going to learn from history. |
| Sarah Hutchison | Not being permitted to talk about what really happened in this country is criminal. |
| Stephanie Mann | No comment |
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