There were no new teachers in Vancouver who signed the pledge on Jan. 10, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.
The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 9, the day before. It now has two pledges from Vancouver 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 Vancouver teachers included, “Students deserve more than white-washed history and white supremacist lies. The day we knuckle under to propaganda and racist lies is the day we stop having any claim to the role of teachers” and “As a former teacher; a parent, grandparent and citizen of the world, I wish to continue to support quality in education: giving students the opportunity to learn from the past in such a way that they can think critically. In order to think critically, you need to know what you believe and why. We need to continue to give students credit for being able to learn how society and civilizations have behaved in the past and use that knowledge to make evolved decisions both individually and collectively as they move forward into their futures. Therein lies any hope we may have for an enlightened global co-existence and the healing and protection for this planet”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Carol Obenour | As a former teacher; a parent, grandparent and citizen of the world, I wish to continue to support quality in education: giving students the opportunity to learn from the past in such a way that they can think critically. In order to think critically, you need to know what you believe and why. We need to continue to give students credit for being able to learn how society and civilizations have behaved in the past and use that knowledge to make evolved decisions both individually and collectively as they move forward into their futures. Therein lies any hope we may have for an enlightened global co-existence and the healing and protection for this planet. |
| Desiree Hellegers | Students deserve more than white-washed history and white supremacist lies. The day we knuckle under to propaganda and racist lies is the day we stop having any claim to the role of teachers. |
