The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 21, the day before. It now has nine pledges from Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista teachers included, "As educators we have a moral obligation to our students, our community, and our country to teach the truth of our history and how we got here. Equipping people with these truths is the only way to move forward" and "In order for youth to tackle racism and forms of oppression that they have inherited, they must be taught truth about our country's history and be provided with tools and skills to address new tomorrows".
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 |
|---|---|
| Angelina Caballero | As educators we have a moral obligation to our students, our community, and our country to teach the truth of our history and how we got here. Equipping people with these truths is the only way to move forward. |
| Ella Rogosin | No comment |
| Heather Poland | No comment |
| Julia Ratchford | Teaching the truth matters. Lying to students teaches them that we are lying about the past. |
| Julie Walker | As an education veteran and parent of two children who have grown up in a diverse community, I value the honesty and truth my colleagues have taught and continue to teach to the students in my community. |
| Kayla Mains | Students deserve to know the whole truth. They crave it, and they engage with the curriculum when they hear it. |
| Lorna Latoni | Societies are responsible for passing on truth to the future generations, regardless of how painful. If not, pain and dysfunction gets perpetuated without end. |
| Omar Burruel | I NEED TO TEACH THE TRUTH TO THE YOUTH |
| Ricardo Medina | In order for youth to tackle racism and forms of oppression that they have inherited, they must be taught truth about our country's history and be provided with tools and skills to address new tomorrows. |
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