The pledge was signed by one teacher the week before. It now has five pledges from Birmingham teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
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.
The new Birmingham teacher wrote “We already are committed to teaching true, difficult, inclusive history that honors all the students in the classroom and ones that aren’t represented in our small school. I believe that our society will change as we give every student access to true history. Our students become witnesses to history and will grow into magnanimous citizens, activists, educators!” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| William Goble | Our students deserve to be taught the truth in American history. Teachers like myself also deserve the autonomy to teach all facets of the curriculum they are responsible for covering; that includes the parts of history that reactionaries, white supremacists, and politicians who pander & enable these people, want to gloss over and blot out in the history books. It’s the teachers who are the professionals and know their content- not these noise-makers. Let’s keep #TeachingTruth as we always have! |
| William Goble | Teaching American history correctly and not through a biased faux-patriotic/right-wing lens is intellectually and morally important. I will not cave in or be pressured in teaching the subject I love so much this way. |
| Erika Jones | The truth is the truth and should be taught. |
| Amanda Deter | We already are committed to teaching true, difficult, inclusive history that honors all the students in the classroom and ones that aren’t represented in our small school. I believe that our society will change as we give every student access to true history. Our students become witnesses to history and will grow into magnanimous citizens, activists, educators! |
| Wes Lybrand | “no comment” |
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