Critical Race Theory will be taught by five more teachers in Orlando, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.
No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has nine pledges from Orlando 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 Orlando teachers included “In a democracy, politicians don’t interfere with educational curricula. Students deserve real education and not censored versions of a people’s history.” and “Kids deserve to know that part of loving America is learning about the uncomfortable and sad parts of her history. When we give students historically accurate facts and allow them to look critically at where we could have done better, it creates civics-minded and socially-just students who want to create a more fair and just America for all.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Tiffany Taylor | “no comment” |
| Mia Laudato | “no comment” |
| Jennifer Borrelli | I stand for telling the truth. |
| Cassie Howard | To solve problems, we need to be able to name them. |
| Shelley Park | In a democracy, politicians don’t interfere with educational curricula. Students deserve real education and not censored versions of a people’s history. |
| Laura Markley | Kids deserve to know that part of loving America is learning about the uncomfortable and sad parts of her history. When we give students historically accurate facts and allow them to look critically at where we could have done better, it creates civics-minded and socially-just students who want to create a more fair and just America for all. |
| Shauna Jackson | Teachers are supposed to educate. We are supposed to be trusted and looked to for guidance. I will not teach white painted history that is smothered in lies. |
| Katie Pertschi | I’ve been a history teacher for the past 13 years. Tomorrow I’m leaving the profession for good. Laws like this make the broken system even more apparent and I cannot ethically work for such a system. |
| Justine Huber | It is our responsibility to teach facts – no matter how unpleasant those FACTS might be. |
