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 Chapel Hill teachers included, "We can best face the future with the facts in hand. Otherwise our children will learn we're lying and never trust us again" and "Students deserve the truth. Justice is telling the full story of America and hearing myriad voices".
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 |
|---|---|
| Carla Cota | No comment |
| Deborah Stroman | No comment |
| Eliza Brinkley | I take personal offense at the notion that I, as a professional, do not know what is best for my students. The effective banning of open discussions about our country's history is anti-democratic and anti-patriotic. |
| Leonard Leonard | No comment |
| Lyn Hawks | Students deserve the truth. Justice is telling the full story of America and hearing myriad voices. |
| Mark Peifer | We can best face the future with the facts in hand. Otherwise our children will learn we're lying and never trust us again. |
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