The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 14, the day before. It now has four pledges from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga teachers included, "Students without the truth of their history are misguided and have no sense of pride. I have tutored students and discovered that they didn't know about important events in history - The Trail of Tears/Indian Removal, Black Wall Street, Residential Schools, Reconstruction, etc. This can't continue" and "It is my responsibility to lead my students in meaningful conversations about the way the world works and how we should interact in it. This law restricts me of that responsibility and even threatens me to shy away from topics related to race, which my students deal with on a daily basis. If I can't teach my students how to think critically and examine their rights as citizens of this country, there is no use for public education".
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 |
|---|---|
| Allison Aubrey | The bill that's been passed further marginalizes and pushes to the side the reality of many of the students we serve in our community. I want to uphold the truth. |
| Lydia Dodd | It is my responsibility to lead my students in meaningful conversations about the way the world works and how we should interact in it. This law restricts me of that responsibility and even threatens me to shy away from topics related to race, which my students deal with on a daily basis. If I can't teach my students how to think critically and examine their rights as citizens of this country, there is no use for public education. |
| Lydia Rose | Students without the truth of their history are misguided and have no sense of pride. I have tutored students and discovered that they didn't know about important events in history - The Trail of Tears/Indian Removal, Black Wall Street, Residential Schools, Reconstruction, etc. This can't continue. |
| Nancy Schurr | No comment |
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