The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 18, the day before. It now has 33 pledges from Atlanta 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 Atlanta teachers included, "I will teach the truth and make my voice heard" and "I CARE ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY. A CONFLICT OF IDEAS IS INHERENT IN A STRONG DEMOCRACY, BUT IT MUST BE MANAGED EFFECTIVELY WITH TOOLS OF PEACEFUL AND PURPOSEFUL DISCOURSE, NOT THE FEAR AND BULLYING OF AN AUTHORITARIAN STATE. THE HOLOCAUST, SLAVERY, AND RACISM ARE ALL LINKED BY DEVOTION TO IDEAS THAT TEACH PEOPLE NOT TO LISTEN TO DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES, NOT TO ACT WITH COMMON REGARD OR TO FRAME EVENTS IN WAYS THAT PROPAGATE HATRED".
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 |
|---|---|
| Andra Burns | Because truth matters. History matters. And Black and Brown students matter. |
| Andrew Dirks | I refuse to lie to my students about our nations history and trust them to navigate complicated global issues with me as their guide. |
| Athena Ayers | No comment |
| Cynthia Larkin | I refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events. |
| Della Fried | Teach the truth with compassion; the students can handle it! We must start with the truth, including that there are different perspectives, and then we can understand, expand, creatively problem solve, heal, repair, and progress toward our greater ideals. It is these young people who will lead us next; their foundational knowledge, vision, resilience, and skills will make our world a better place for all. Let us trust their value and intellect, and honor them by teaching the truth. |
| Della Fried | We must start with the truth. We must finally face wrongs done and create equity, healing, repair. We cannot teach with integrity if we don’t begin by sharing facts; learning our true history leads to understanding, problem solving, progress, and makes it possible to fulfill the values we’ve claimed. |
| Erin Mason | No comment |
| Erin Schauder | Our students deserve to know the truth! We must acknowledge the past to learn from it and do better by it. |
| Gayatri Sethi | #teachtruth |
| Hanin Burnham | No comment |
| Jacqueline Fawaz | The usa is a democratic country, truth about our history and that of others is crucial in making sure there is equity for all adding transparency to ensure justice and prevent wrongs from being repeated. |
| Jennifer Susko | No comment |
| Jill Hanson | No comment |
| Keya Blasingame | No comment |
| Lindy Settevendemie | The truth will set us all free. Our children have the right to learn the truth about the reality of white supremacy and the racist systems that have always governed our country and continue to shape our lives. It is my hope that in learning the truth, children will begin to heal and will be able to imagine and create a more equitable world. We need truth, reconciliation, and reparations. |
| Livia Simmons | Teach the TRUTH. |
| Margaret Verner | No comment |
| Mary Lacy | I believe that history is " Truth" and the past will repeat if the truth is hidden. The lies of the oppressor will only maintain the status quo, institutional racism, and inhumane oppression. There is no reconciliation of race and a systematic plan to maintain economic disparities is not discussed to all generations. |
| Melanie Turner-Harper | No comment |
| Nirvana Scott | Children deserve a good education. |
| Paige Madison | No comment |
| Patricia Weaver | No comment |
| Prentiss Dantzler | No comment |
| Rebecca Wallace | No comment |
| Ryan Berry | This laughable attempt to censor knowledge cannot stand. I refuse to sit idly by while the world of alternative facts tries to change reality. Seeing my students parrot the pledge of allegiance out of a compulsory sense of community, hearing the words "and justice and liberty *for all*" ring so, so hollow...to see people putting blinders on with such determination is very problematic, not to mention childish. I encourage all of my fellow educators to read Charles Bukowski's letter on censorship. |
| Sally Stanhope | I feel like these laws are propping up system of oppression and violate the tenets of evidence based history. |
| Sara Blum | As a a teacher i have committed my life to teaching future citizens about this great country of ours and how to navigate it with knowledge. To truly love America you much embrace its flaws and work to right the wrongs of its past in order to create a just future for all citizens. |
| Sara Quinn | No comment |
| Scott Ritchie | We must face the ugly truths from past and present in order to evolve as a society. Lying, whether outright or by omission, is unethical and dooms us to repeat earlier mistakes. Too many of us didn’t learn real history until we were adults, and even then it was only a select few who were able to access the truth. There is ample research that children are perfectly capable of learning complex ideas, and kids have a strong sense of fairness. It’s time we educate for liberation rather than domestication. |
| Sherry Neal | No comment |
| Spence Ford | No comment |
| Tanysha Nunnally | I will teach the truth and make my voice heard. |
| Timothy McMahon | I CARE ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY. A CONFLICT OF IDEAS IS INHERENT IN A STRONG DEMOCRACY, BUT IT MUST BE MANAGED EFFECTIVELY WITH TOOLS OF PEACEFUL AND PURPOSEFUL DISCOURSE, NOT THE FEAR AND BULLYING OF AN AUTHORITARIAN STATE. THE HOLOCAUST, SLAVERY, AND RACISM ARE ALL LINKED BY DEVOTION TO IDEAS THAT TEACH PEOPLE NOT TO LISTEN TO DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES, NOT TO ACT WITH COMMON REGARD OR TO FRAME EVENTS IN WAYS THAT PROPAGATE HATRED. |
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