The pledge was signed by no teachers on Nov. 14, the day before. It now has three pledges from Yarmouth 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 Yarmouth teachers included, "We must teach the truth. How can anyone understand the challenges of today unless they understand the causes, the bed of fire laid down in history. It is time to explain and examine the frustration and anger that has led us here. It is past time" and "Our students deserve the complete history of the world they are growing into. They can handle big feelings. They are capable of understanding that when we know better, we do better. They feel the white-washing, and dissonance it creates. I trust our students to handle the truth and to use it to better our shared world".
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 |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Willard | We must teach the truth. How can anyone understand the challenges of today unless they understand the causes, the bed of fire laid down in history. It is time to explain and examine the frustration and anger that has led us here. It is past time. |
| Sarah Norsworthy | Our students deserve the complete history of the world they are growing into. They can handle big feelings. They are capable of understanding that when we know better, we do better. They feel the white-washing, and dissonance it creates. I trust our students to handle the truth and to use it to better our shared world. |
| Sarah Norsworthy | We must understand and reckon with our history to have any chance at all of both eradicating racism and building a future that includes voice and choice for all. |
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