No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale teachers included “Critical thinking and open discussion are essential skills in a democracy” and “Our students deserve the truth. It's past time whitewashed history left classrooms forever.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Lois Sugar | I believe that the truth is vitally important and we must be age-appropriately open and honest with our learners. |
| Carole Ancona | “no comment” |
| Kandice Nelson | Our students deserve the truth. It's past time whitewashed history left classrooms forever. |
| Kandice Nelson | All history is valuable. It's time we teach history honestly instead of continuing to white-wash what happened. It is too late to change the past. The future relies on an end to lies! |
| Jan Kelly | Critical thinking and open discussion are essential skills in a democracy |
| Mariah Moritz | “no comment” |
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