No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has seven pledges from San Rafael 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 San Rafael teachers included “I am signing my name because I believe in racial equality and my energy and efforts will be directed toward achieving this. I will teach with my heart and mind wide open and with a strong passionate voice. Through image and word, color, texture and bold visual art, we will publicly communicate and portray the serious problems in our communities AND the solutions that will benefit all people.” and “As a wildlife biologist who educates children and adults about the beautiful places in their backyards, it's my responsibility to tell the whole truth of these places and not a white-washed version.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Ben Eiseman | Our students need to know the truth. |
| Erin Frazier | “no comment” |
| Pamela Livingston | Humans can only grow in a soil of truth. |
| Adele Maze | I am signing my name because I believe in racial equality and my energy and efforts will be directed toward achieving this. I will teach with my heart and mind wide open and with a strong passionate voice. Through image and word, color, texture and bold visual art, we will publicly communicate and portray the serious problems in our communities AND the solutions that will benefit all people. |
| Lisa Michl | As a wildlife biologist who educates children and adults about the beautiful places in their backyards, it's my responsibility to tell the whole truth of these places and not a white-washed version. |
| Marisa Gomez | “no comment” |
| Linda Price | I believe everyone needs to know the truth of our history. We can never move forward as a civilisation unless we face hard truths. |
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