The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 28, the day before. It now has eight pledges from Tampa 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 Tampa teachers included, "“ .,.how can one teach honestly about the nature of our society without examining how today’s racial inequality is a systemic legacy of this country’s history?" and "history and social studies and epistemology is so much more than colonial school models let us learn about".
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 |
|---|---|
| Alba Lamar | history and social studies and epistemology is so much more than colonial school models let us learn about. |
| Angela Russo | We need to learn from the past, not cover it up. |
| Ann Milton | my students live the consequences of history. |
| Janice Law | Only dictatorships and fascists deny truths. I will not be part of that and will always fight against efforts to limit truths in history and education. The easiest way to control a populace is to keep them from asking questions. |
| Jennifer Robinson | My students deserve the truth |
| Kelly Benedetti | Facing and grappling with the racism, sexism, and other oppressive worldviews that got baked into enduring policy outcomes is vital for the pursuit of the equality our country purports to bestow. |
| Sändra King Glenn | “ .,.how can one teach honestly about the nature of our society without examining how today’s racial inequality is a systemic legacy of this country’s history? |
| Willie James | Those who do not understand their past are doomed to repeat their failures. |
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