No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from Mill Valley teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 new Mill Valley teachers included “The struggle to see and understand all sides of historical events is essential for developing a population of critical thinkers.” and “In teaching history we are responsible for the future as well.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Prema Trettin | I believe in the power of the truth to heal. |
| Kristin Ferguson | I believe that teachers must always teach the truth. As a history teacher I must teach ALL of the history so that my students may truly understand our collective history. |
| Marianne Delaporte Kabir | In teaching history we are responsible for the future as well. |
| Alison Quoyeser | The struggle to see and understand all sides of historical events is essential for developing a population of critical thinkers. |
| Kayla Zeisler | Our country will never be able to move beyond our past if we are unwilling to confront its truths. |
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