The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 28, the day before. It now has six pledges from Petaluma 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 Petaluma teachers included, "As a white person growing up in this country, I was dehumanized by the mythological version of American History I was taught. I'm in this struggle to achieve justice, access to resources and opportunities for people of color. Also, I'm in this to repair the damage that was done to me" and "I am signing my name because I will not allow my beloved profession to be corrupted by narrow minded and ignorant politicians who are afraid of truth and progress. I believe that studying the past has the ability to teach students how to become critical thinkers so that, as a species, we may improve the human condition and make progress towards an equal and just society. Teaching history that is based on multiple perspectives and includes diverse voices allows students to learn a more accurate account of the past and how it shapes the present".
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 |
|---|---|
| Allison Rigby | Our students deserve better, and are also better critical thinkers than we give them credit for. If knowledge is power, why not teach a more historically comprehensive version of the truth that includes first-hand accounts from historically oppressed peoples? |
| Brendan Gagnon | Education is the path to social justice. We must challenge the dominant culture narratives and include the experiences of those communities who have historically been left out of the lesson plan. We must educate students so that may create change for a better future. |
| Brendan Gagnon | to deny systemic racism is to deny the facts. Our students deserve to know the truth. |
| Marian Killian | As a white person growing up in this country, I was dehumanized by the mythological version of American History I was taught. I'm in this struggle to achieve justice, access to resources and opportunities for people of color. Also, I'm in this to repair the damage that was done to me. |
| Sally Lee Stewart | No comment |
| Stefan Lisker | I am signing my name because I will not allow my beloved profession to be corrupted by narrow minded and ignorant politicians who are afraid of truth and progress. I believe that studying the past has the ability to teach students how to become critical thinkers so that, as a species, we may improve the human condition and make progress towards an equal and just society. Teaching history that is based on multiple perspectives and includes diverse voices allows students to learn a more accurate account of the past and how it shapes the present. |
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