No new teachers in San Rafael sign pledge in week ending March 19 to teach Critical Race Theory

By Marin Leader

Mar 29, 2022

There were no new teachers in San Rafael who signed the pledge in week ending March 19, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by one teacher the week before. It now has seven pledges from San Rafael teachers by the end of the week ending March 19.

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.

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 in San Rafael who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Pamela Livingston	Humans can only grow in a soil of truth.
Ben Eiseman	Our students need to know the truth.
Erin Frazier	“no comment”
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.