The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 25, the day before. It now has three pledges from Catonsville 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 Catonsville teachers included, "The truth has been either hidden or obstructed for too long from too many. It's unfair for people to not know the full truth of the land in which they live. There are many things about this country that I have learned as an adult, on my own, that would have helped me for far longer, had I learned them in school" and "glossing over or sugar coating our history is not okay. We must teach the truth so our students understand that our country has made mistakes and continues to make mistakes. We cannot allow our marginalized groups to be further oppressed by creating nonsense laws that stop educators from having their students look at race through different lenses".
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 |
|---|---|
| Chris Fenlon | The truth has been either hidden or obstructed for too long from too many. It's unfair for people to not know the full truth of the land in which they live. There are many things about this country that I have learned as an adult, on my own, that would have helped me for far longer, had I learned them in school. |
| Jeanette Swank | glossing over or sugar coating our history is not okay. We must teach the truth so our students understand that our country has made mistakes and continues to make mistakes. We cannot allow our marginalized groups to be further oppressed by creating nonsense laws that stop educators from having their students look at race through different lenses. |
| Matt Gresick | Young people deserve a complete & complex historical enquiry experience that does not fear courageous conversations concerning injustices, atrocities, and all manner of human failings. |
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