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.
The Vancouver teacher wrote "Critical Race Theory embraces the concepts of race and racism and tasks itself with honest, factual, dialogue that helps to bring understanding to complex issues. I am disheartened by others who try to vilify CRT, but not racism. I am disheartened to have those in Christianity or any institution change the narrative to one's own purposes, usually to whitewash our history at our own peril because it is "uncomfortable". We cannot strive for a more fair and equitable nation if we don't learn from the past. We cannot be society that exemplifies the values in the Bill of Rights, if we legislate laws and policies that promote some people over others. CRT is tantamount to fighting injustice and ignorance." when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| Gayle Horwitz | Critical Race Theory embraces the concepts of race and racism and tasks itself with honest, factual, dialogue that helps to bring understanding to complex issues. I am disheartened by others who try to vilify CRT, but not racism. I am disheartened to have those in Christianity or any institution change the narrative to one's own purposes, usually to whitewash our history at our own peril because it is "uncomfortable". We cannot strive for a more fair and equitable nation if we don't learn from the past. We cannot be society that exemplifies the values in the Bill of Rights, if we legislate laws and policies that promote some people over others. CRT is tantamount to fighting injustice and ignorance. |
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