The pledge was signed by 19 teachers on March 9, the day before. It now has 28 pledges from Memphis 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 Memphis teachers included, "My students have the power to create a more just society, but they must understand the truth about injustice first" and "The teaching of literature REQUIRES that its history be taught as well. For as the literature is often shaped by its history, so too must that history, however unpleasant, be taught responsibly and accurately. .We educators must encourage a respectful discourse that such historical issues have and continue to shape our lives. How elitist is it only to teach an altered history that distorts the the truth? Doing so only serves to deny the pain of those who were impacted by said history, and it minimizes accountability for those who perpetuated such egregious acts".
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 |
|---|---|
| Adam Jones | I believe that students should not be forced to believe something that is black or white, right or wrong. The purpose of teaching students ELA or history is for them to engage in the material, analyze arguments and perspectives, then find their voice and respond to controversial topics. Without this independence, classrooms will turn robotic and sad. Students need to know the cold facts about their history, while also being hopeful of the redemptive story important leaders have done to transform the United States. |
| Adam Patrick | No comment |
| Alex Iberg | Students deserve to receive an objective, unadulterated version of history. Re-writing, selectively representing, and avoiding history have no place in a democratic society. |
| Angel Carmona | I am an educator who values the truth over lies. My children deserve to know the truth about oppression in this country, and it’s effects on current events. |
| Aureal Carlock | This is another way to try and deflect from the real issues of this country and pacify the very privileged and superiority thinking of the masses, so they may continue to feel comfortable in their bliss of denial of the truth of this country. |
| Cynthia Belfleur | This law would be whitewashing history and erasing the truth of American in favor of placating and pandering for the comfort of white people. |
| Daphnee Moragne | I believe we should provide historical facts and allow students to critically think through what has happened then make a decision for themselves about the actual events. |
| Eddie Walsh | I refuse to lie to my students. |
| Heather Johnson | Our students deserve to know the truth! |
| James Phoenix | No comment |
| Jenny Barrett | No comment |
| Jill Torres | This law is not allowing us to educate our youth on multiple ways of thinking. This law is attempting to control thought, which is the opposite of the purpose schools hold in the United States of America. We are the land of the Free. Free thought and expression is included in that statement. |
| Johnathan Clayton | It is impossible to teach ACCURATELY about history in the US without talking about race, racial hierarchy, and their legacy still raging today. It is bo to a disservice and a complete dishonesty to not teach this to future generations. Ignoring it is why there are still so many issues today. |
| Julie Kamath | No comment |
| Justine Brunett | My students have the power to create a more just society, but they must understand the truth about injustice first. |
| Kathryn Berlin | Truthful history heals. |
| Kathryn McRitchie | as an educator it is my duty to honor the humanity of my students, teach the truth about history and society, and work together to create a more perfect union in which all people's inherent dignity is affirmed. |
| Kelly King | No comment |
| Laura Taylor | No comment |
| Leigha Walton-Bayne | The teaching of literature REQUIRES that its history be taught as well. For as the literature is often shaped by its history, so too must that history, however unpleasant, be taught responsibly and accurately. .We educators must encourage a respectful discourse that such historical issues have and continue to shape our lives. How elitist is it only to teach an altered history that distorts the the truth? Doing so only serves to deny the pain of those who were impacted by said history, and it minimizes accountability for those who perpetuated such egregious acts. |
| Lexis Sullens | No comment |
| Miller T. | I feel that the truth matters and will be eventually heal many. For too long students, even I as an older American, have heard stories that shared a one sided view of this country. That view has often left many of this country’s people feel left out, not a part of, and non purposeful. It’s time to help a generation understand and accept the all of this country’s history and start true healing that is needed for all Americans young, old and especially those who paid the price of sacrifice.If we don’t teach CRT, why? Please don’t say to keep one group comfortable or because one group will feel bad. That isn’t sufficient because one group has already paved the road that one. The truth could set us all truly free and begin to wash the stain that has soaked so deeply in this country for far too long.Hey the truth is going to stand and come out anyway! |
| Molly Scott | No comment |
| Nicholas Smith | No comment |
| Parker Schramme | No comment |
| Sandra Boyer | We have an obligation to bear witness to human experiences. Good and bad. I will not hide my students from truth. I resent rich, white leaders in our government trying to tell me and my students that their version of history is correct. |
| Suzy Ascuitto | No comment |
| Will Kelley | As a history educator, my job is literally about teaching students what happened in the past and the effects past events have on today’s world. Such bills are anathema to education in general, and are a dangerous step towards indoctrination. |
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