No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has seven pledges from Cedar Falls 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.
Comments from new Cedar Falls teachers included “The only way true change and social justice to occur in our society, is for everyone to know the truth about our history and policies. This teaching must begin when children are young and can begin forming their own understanding of the world.” and “Lies have been told for far too long and have contributed to the achievement gap in education. All children need to learn and understand the truth, so that we may all move forward.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Leandra Sunseri | As James Baldwin said "nothing can be changed unless it is faced." |
| Patrick Ashwood | History is not a patriotic parade. The United States became a powerful and rich country because of its workers, mostly paid low wages, or in servitude, or slavery. History is often not very pleasant, but it isn't some fairytale to make you feel good or a way to justify inequality. The truth needs to be told, not suppressed. The ignorance of the Republican Iowa legislature on black history is remarkable. |
| Jennifer Paulsen | I believe in evidence, data, and an accurate representation of history. |
| Beth Huber | Lies have been told for far too long and have contributed to the achievement gap in education. All children need to learn and understand the truth, so that we may all move forward. |
| Beth Huber | The only way true change and social justice to occur in our society, is for everyone to know the truth about our history and policies. This teaching must begin when children are young and can begin forming their own understanding of the world. |
| Adel Kessler | We owe it to citizens of our country to be honest and look at these truths. . . we have to do this to be able to understand what People of Color deal with every day. Move forward!!!!!! |
| Beth Huber | For our country to change for the better, we must teach the truth. |
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