The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 9, the day before. It now has 15 pledges from Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff teachers included, "Without learning about past mistakes and atrocities how can they be avoided or recognized in the future? We do a disservice to students, future voting citizens, by not educating about the uncomfortable and negative aspects of history. To see positive change there needs to be acknowledgement of problems" and "We need to teach history so we don’t repeat mistakes of the past!".
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 |
|---|---|
| Angelina Castagno | No comment |
| Beth Sanborn | Our society is direly in need of members that understand the events of our past and will use critical thinking skills to help move us to the future. |
| Derek Thibodeau | Truth matters. |
| Elizabeth Merrill | Without learning about past mistakes and atrocities how can they be avoided or recognized in the future? We do a disservice to students, future voting citizens, by not educating about the uncomfortable and negative aspects of history. To see positive change there needs to be acknowledgement of problems. |
| Erin Hiebert | I refuse to lie to my students about the systemic racism that built and fuels this country |
| Joe Wegwert | Teachers need to teach the truth and students need to hear the truth! |
| Leslie Grabel | The truth needs to be told |
| Michelle Novelli | My students (future educators) deserve to learn how to teach their future students in a way that will truthfully and honestly address the historical and current inequities in our country, and honor the lives and contributions of all people. |
| Patricia Roach | Teaching history is about making connections and helping students explore how we became who we are today. There is no room for lies. Presenting truthful information to students, along with the tools to debate, evaluate evidence, understand nuance, and listen to others' point of view is critical for the continued success of our democracy. |
| Ricardo Guthrie | I am an educator of Ethnic Studies in a state that has tried repeatedly to undermine teaching of racial justice, culturally responsive subject matter, and education for action on behalf of Black, Indigenous, Asian American, and ChicanX/LatinX peoples. I believe we are winning the battle for the hearts and souls of youth, parents and elders, but that the white-entrenched state legislator and right-wing governors in Arizona have continually worked to disempower the majority of equity-minded people. We are the majority, and I am signing my name because I am convinced that history is on our side--we stand on truth and reconciliation for all. AZ bills stifling voting rights, teaching of anti-racist subject matter, and for migrant rights, will be deemed unconstitutional but we must act now, to turn the tide. I am signing my name because I have two daughters who are in the school system and they have a right to learn the truth! Word? Today I pledge to uphold the Truth! |
| Russell Randall | It is of paramount importance that American children learn a true and honest history of our nation. If our children do not learn what has happened in America's past, our country is doomed to repeat the same mistakes that have occurred in our past. I have been a teacher at public high schools in Arizona for over 40 years and I have never observed a teacher teach a lesson that made children feel guilty about their race. It saddens me a great deal that if our political leaders choose to deny teachers the right to teach a true and honest history of our country, over time, our democracy will fail. |
| Sarah Shamah | No comment |
| Stacy Clark | Students deserve to learn how to think critically and honestly about the structure of our society, both historically and in our contemporary contexts. |
| Tami Butters | The best year of teaching I ever experienced was a year that my first graders led me to research and develop curriculum on racism and activism. My students came together with their families, me and my teaching assistant as we dove into the truth about segregation, the civil rights movement, voting rights and courageous people who were change makers. |
| Yvonne Parent | We need to teach history so we don’t repeat mistakes of the past! |
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