The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 24, the day before. It now has three pledges from Bellaire 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 Bellaire teachers included, "My students are aware of discrimination and injustice long before I teach about it. They are aware of our history - founded on dispossession of Native Americans, slavery, structural racism and oppression - and they experience structural racism as a defining characteristic of our society today. Our silence makes us complicit - instead we wish to educate. I will continue my commitment to develop critical thinking that supports students to better understand problems in our society, and to develop collective solutions to those problems" and "Our students are the best hope we have to build the America we want to see in the future. In order for them to be able to do this, they must learn the whole truth about our past and present".
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 |
|---|---|
| Cynthia Blessman | I am signing my name because I believe in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. that I must obey just laws and disobey unjust laws. As a Montessori teacher, I follow the words of Dr. Maria Montessori, that I must champion the cause of all children. |
| Daria Bliss | Our students are the best hope we have to build the America we want to see in the future. In order for them to be able to do this, they must learn the whole truth about our past and present. |
| Micaela Segal | My students are aware of discrimination and injustice long before I teach about it. They are aware of our history - founded on dispossession of Native Americans, slavery, structural racism and oppression - and they experience structural racism as a defining characteristic of our society today. Our silence makes us complicit - instead we wish to educate. I will continue my commitment to develop critical thinking that supports students to better understand problems in our society, and to develop collective solutions to those problems. |
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