No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Boston teachers by the end of the week ending Aug. 07.
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 |
|---|---|
| Kelli Serbin | “no comment” |
| Judi Freeman | “no comment” |
| Scott Rush | My students have often discussed the importance of having open and at times uncomfortable conversations about our history. To quote James Baldwin, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." |
| Judi Freeman | our students deserve nothing less than the truth and the tools to confront this history. |
| Peggy Volcy | I want my students to know the truth so they can be better people for the future! |
| Michelle McElwaine | I respect young people, and the future is important to all of us. |
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