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 Warrenton teachers included, "Our children of today represent the future of tomorrow. Informing our citizens of our history, which includes systemic racism, enables our children to be the changemakers necessary to change this paradigm. A just society recognizes its' past including when it has oppressed it's own citizens. Our children need an accurate picture of the past, in order to make the changes of tomorrow" and "My students deserve the truth".
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 |
|---|---|
| Joy Seward | Our children of today represent the future of tomorrow. Informing our citizens of our history, which includes systemic racism, enables our children to be the changemakers necessary to change this paradigm. A just society recognizes its' past including when it has oppressed it's own citizens. Our children need an accurate picture of the past, in order to make the changes of tomorrow. |
| Lucy Russell | My students deserve the truth. |
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