No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Stowe 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 Stowe teachers included “We cannot address today’s inequity unless we examine the truth about the past.” and “the only way to right the wrongs in this country is to educate our citizens. We must know the past and how it has shaped the present in order for all people to have the rights and protections they deserve as written in the 14th amendment.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Anastasia Schafer | “no comment” |
| Susan Romans | We cannot address today’s inequity unless we examine the truth about the past. |
| Jenn Childress | the only way to right the wrongs in this country is to educate our citizens. We must know the past and how it has shaped the present in order for all people to have the rights and protections they deserve as written in the 14th amendment. |
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