No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Wilmington teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 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 Wilmington teachers included “The reality of our American history and contemporary society is too important to lie to children about.” and “…I have been for over twenty years as an educator. Most of my students come to me knowing that in order to heal, we must ask hard questions and face hard truths. In order to empower students, we can’t be dishonest about the world they are growing up into. They see right through it; their very lives contradict any bs handed to them about the equality of our country’s origins or ideals. If we as educators, parents, guardians and community members are lucky enough to have young ppl looking to us for guidance, we have to be honest. There’s no way I can look at my students or children and allow them to think the disenfranchisement they experience is their fault or that they are powerless to change the causes. I will continue to give young scholars material to critically analyze and discuss. I’ll continue to give them texts to learn about people who stood up for others; who challenged an inequitable status quo; who persevered and refused to be silent while working to create or support changes our country needed to move toward being a little more equitable for all. I will continue to give them academic opportunities to learn about and openly question the institution of and effects of systemic racism and inequities in our country so that they may be far more creative than us in how to approach systemic healing.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Anderson | Truth kills ignorance. |
| Michelle Munoz | “no comment” |
| Emmanuel Harris II | “no comment” |
| Eden Avery | The reality of our American history and contemporary society is too important to lie to children about. |
| Sarah Garguilo | …I have been for over twenty years as an educator. Most of my students come to me knowing that in order to heal, we must ask hard questions and face hard truths. In order to empower students, we can’t be dishonest about the world they are growing up into. They see right through it; their very lives contradict any bs handed to them about the equality of our country’s origins or ideals. If we as educators, parents, guardians and community members are lucky enough to have young ppl looking to us for guidance, we have to be honest. There’s no way I can look at my students or children and allow them to think the disenfranchisement they experience is their fault or that they are powerless to change the causes. I will continue to give young scholars material to critically analyze and discuss. I’ll continue to give them texts to learn about people who stood up for others; who challenged an inequitable status quo; who persevered and refused to be silent while working to create or support changes our country needed to move toward being a little more equitable for all. I will continue to give them academic opportunities to learn about and openly question the institution of and effects of systemic racism and inequities in our country so that they may be far more creative than us in how to approach systemic healing. |
| Scott Simmons | Everyone deserves to know the truth about their country’s past. |
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