No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Hesperia 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.
Comments from new Hesperia teachers included “History informs and defines us all, especially the hard history and our ability to acknowledge past mistakes. I can not and will not lie to my students.” and “I cannot continue to spout false history that’s erased the victories and struggles of minorities in America.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Alexis Padilla | I cannot continue to spout false history that’s erased the victories and struggles of minorities in America. |
| Jeni Boulanger | History informs and defines us all, especially the hard history and our ability to acknowledge past mistakes. I can not and will not lie to my students. |
| Mike Mayo | Students should be taught a meaningful and accurate depiction of United States history from multiple perspectives, including the essential perspectives of systematically oppressed individuals rather than the white-washed conceptions of so-called patriotic white Americans. |
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