No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has one pledge from Yorktown Heights teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
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.
The new Yorktown Heights teacher wrote “I am an active anti-racist educator and can no longer sit idly by while our students learn whitewashed history and are not exposed to the truth about our country. How can we grow and become more inclusive if we willingly choose not to share the whole truth, even if it makes us uncomfortable?” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Catherine Graybosch | I am an active anti-racist educator and can no longer sit idly by while our students learn whitewashed history and are not exposed to the truth about our country. How can we grow and become more inclusive if we willingly choose not to share the whole truth, even if it makes us uncomfortable? |
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