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 Acworth teachers included, "If teachers are silenced, kids can get the message that racism doesn't matter or that it's someone else's problem. To help put an end to racism, everyone has to take an active role, no matter who they are. These kids will grow to be the adults who can help the momentum of change that has been started in 2020. Also, when we teach kids early on that it's OK to talk about race, we help them to understand, respect, and appreciate the differences between people. We can't let fear or those grasping at maintaining the status quo to be the ones who prevent the truth to be taught and taught in totality" and "This is an important pledge and I am here to do the tough work am truly impact overall change!".
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 |
|---|---|
| Cassandra Martinelli | If teachers are silenced, kids can get the message that racism doesn't matter or that it's someone else's problem. To help put an end to racism, everyone has to take an active role, no matter who they are. These kids will grow to be the adults who can help the momentum of change that has been started in 2020. Also, when we teach kids early on that it's OK to talk about race, we help them to understand, respect, and appreciate the differences between people. We can't let fear or those grasping at maintaining the status quo to be the ones who prevent the truth to be taught and taught in totality. |
| Petrina Fowler | This is an important pledge and I am here to do the tough work am truly impact overall change! |
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