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 Delaware teachers included, "I am committed to teaching my students to be critical thinkers. This requires them to question and analyze not constrain them to one view of history" and "I refuse to lie to my students, and to teach them to lie to their students. Instead of pulling the wool over their eyes and continuing to teach a whitewashed, false narrative, we should be teaching the truth and helping them become critical consumers of historical information. The K-12 classroom allows us to manage the debate they may already be participating in/aware of, and provide and correct, unbiased information so that they can be more civically aware".
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 |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Lisy | No comment |
| Jennifer Lisy | I am committed to teaching my students to be critical thinkers. This requires them to question and analyze not constrain them to one view of history. |
| Sarah Kaka | I refuse to lie to my students, and to teach them to lie to their students. Instead of pulling the wool over their eyes and continuing to teach a whitewashed, false narrative, we should be teaching the truth and helping them become critical consumers of historical information. The K-12 classroom allows us to manage the debate they may already be participating in/aware of, and provide and correct, unbiased information so that they can be more civically aware. |
| Shannon Schilling | No comment |
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