No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from Ellicott City teachers by the end of the week ending Aug. 14.
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 Ellicott City teachers included “The truth matters. Denying the truth harms my students.” and “I will not purposefully mislead my students and ignore racist injustice”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Campbell Vidreiro | Our students deserve to--and want to--know the truth. Only the truth will lead to the compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable leaders we need in our society. |
| Matt Bachtel | “no comment” |
| Joann Kang | “no comment” |
| Josiah Lookingbill | I will not purposefully mislead my students and ignore racist injustice |
| Josiah Lookingbill | The truth matters. Denying the truth harms my students. |
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