No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Fairport teachers by the end of the week ending Aug. 21.
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Emily Jang | I'm tired of the decades long silencing of the minority voice. I'm tired of the very same people who benefit from our labor, who consume our culture, who eat our "authentic food" while at the same time trying to erase our history, deny our struggles, and silence our voices. Enough. |
| Lawrence Wirth | As an educator, I have the responsibility to convey the truth, whether it is in science, where the truth is also being attacked, or in history and the social sciences. As a nation, we have to accept and come to terms with that history and our responsibility to repair the damage done to others. |
| Emily Jang | “no comment” |
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