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.
The New York teacher wrote "There is no buy-in without trust. We have to face the harm. If we don’t, the caste system here will continue. Unchecked. And it doesn’t have to be this way. Comfort is worthless with bad conscience. It was hard to recount what I just learned about the drowning of a thriving Black community and important institute of higher learning to build a dam and recreational Lake Martin in Alabama. How did that happen? We need to face it: systemic racism. Facing the harm of racism in America is akin to recovery. Acknowledging that we (still) have a problem is the first step, and it is hard, but kids are sophisticated and creative thinkers. We need them to know this. I was heartened to hear that congenital twin Jubilee Singers earned enough money in their lifetime to BUY the plantation they were enslaved on. What an amazing accomplishment! These stories will be shared in classrooms. Thank you Langston League and poet Tyehimba Jess. Teachers keep learning, wheels keep turning, and we will make education people and planet-oriented, not empire-oriented." when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sara Lissa Paulson | There is no buy-in without trust. We have to face the harm. If we don’t, the caste system here will continue. Unchecked. And it doesn’t have to be this way. Comfort is worthless with bad conscience. It was hard to recount what I just learned about the drowning of a thriving Black community and important institute of higher learning to build a dam and recreational Lake Martin in Alabama. How did that happen? We need to face it: systemic racism. Facing the harm of racism in America is akin to recovery. Acknowledging that we (still) have a problem is the first step, and it is hard, but kids are sophisticated and creative thinkers. We need them to know this. I was heartened to hear that congenital twin Jubilee Singers earned enough money in their lifetime to BUY the plantation they were enslaved on. What an amazing accomplishment! These stories will be shared in classrooms. Thank you Langston League and poet Tyehimba Jess. Teachers keep learning, wheels keep turning, and we will make education people and planet-oriented, not empire-oriented. |
Alerts Sign-up