No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has two pledges from Beverly Hills 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.
The new Beverly Hills teacher wrote “I was in college in the 1980s when I learned the lies I was taught about Columbus and Native Americans. That's when I decided to be a teacher who teaches the truth, and I have been now for over 20 years.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
---|---|
Susan Warrow | I resented not learning the truth about our history when I was in high school. I became a teacher to make sure the truth gets told. |
Susan Warrow | I was in college in the 1980s when I learned the lies I was taught about Columbus and Native Americans. That's when I decided to be a teacher who teaches the truth, and I have been now for over 20 years. |