No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Glen Ellyn teachers by the end of the week ending March 5.
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Judith Van Erden | I am concerned about censorship and people who are frightened of perspectives other than their own. It's my hope that through measured and respectful discourse, minds can be opened and fear abated. No one should fear the truth; we should only seek to learn and improve from it. |
| Brian Kapustka | my goal as an educator is to provide students, family, and friends alike with a deeper understanding of the world and our collective reality. |
| Karin Evans | My students have a right to understand their own history from multiple points of view. Teaching about our history of racism and its ongoing systemic structures is essential for us as a nation to heal and move forward so that all our people can prosper together. |
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