The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 23, the day before. It now has 12 pledges from Dallas 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 Dallas teachers included, "Knowing the realities of history can only help us do better. We cannot continue to make a better world if we do not acknowledge and heal from the past" and "It is brainwashing and criminal to hide, whitewash and rewrite this part of our history. It's a sham. This is a pathetic attempt to maintain white supremacy and control by avoiding these conversations or discussing our past mistakes as we work toward being better humans. Everyone can see that and it's embarrassing. I have been a proud public educator for over 20 years and this infringes on my moral and ethical beliefs. I am being forced into an ideology I do not support. This is the real push towards fascism".
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 |
|---|---|
| Alyssa Barber | No comment |
| Caro Ervin | I am appalled at the lengths the right will go to to oppress the truth. My students and community deserve better! I stand with all who refuse to bow down to this nonsense. |
| Jamie Gravell | Knowing the realities of history can only help us do better. We cannot continue to make a better world if we do not acknowledge and heal from the past. |
| Janet Frey | teaching kids the truth is a powerful tool for creating lasting positive change for the communities that inhabit this land and make up our society. |
| Katherine Catron | No comment |
| Kenneth Williams | Silencing teachers is what Nazis did in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. I will not be censored by government tyranny. |
| Kevin Simpson | the true history needs to be taught and learned by all. |
| Lisa Theiss | No comment |
| Mehemiah Brooks | enough is enough and truth shall come forth and set us free! So much history has been hidden, but as a Social Justice Advocate is my duty and honor to MAKE the world a better place to live in wholesome security!.."A Change, isn't a CHANGE, until a CHANGE is made! - San Diego, California "Native" (Residency) Dallas, Texas (Oak Cliff), Committed Community Advocate Volunteer (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Rachel Barker | I refuse to allow history to repeat itself through ignorance and allowing hate to fester. |
| Rachel Burleson | It is brainwashing and criminal to hide, whitewash and rewrite this part of our history. It's a sham. This is a pathetic attempt to maintain white supremacy and control by avoiding these conversations or discussing our past mistakes as we work toward being better humans. Everyone can see that and it's embarrassing. I have been a proud public educator for over 20 years and this infringes on my moral and ethical beliefs. I am being forced into an ideology I do not support. This is the real push towards fascism. |
| Richard Goodwin | No comment |
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