Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in Waterloo stagnates at five

There were no new teachers in Waterloo who signed the pledge on April 21, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on April 20, the day before. It now has five pledges from Waterloo teachers.

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 Waterloo teachers included, “I believe in teaching the truth and teaching real honest history” and “I believe in teaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Our students deserve to know where we come from and what has been endured to get to this point, so they can forge a better future for themselves and their country”.

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.”