The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 22, the day before. It now has 16 pledges from Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti teachers included, "It is important for all students to understand our history" and "My students deserve better. They deserve truth. They deserve to know their own rich history. When we know better, we do better. America needs truth to heal".
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 |
|---|---|
| Andrea Adams | By passing these bills, governments are attempting to rewrite or erase history which provides insight to the social injustice of today. My job as an educator is not only to give information, but to challenge students to analyze situations, discuss and collaborate with others about difficult issues, and prepare to be leaders in the future. We do not accomplish this by starting with lies. |
| Azhar McNeal | It is a just and righteous cause! I have responsibility endowed by my Creator (Allah) to teach the truth. |
| Bobbi Boles | My students deserve better. They deserve truth. They deserve to know their own rich history. When we know better, we do better. America needs truth to heal. |
| Brian Burak | Teaching does not mean indoctrinating. Forcing people to only teach one limited perspective is the real indoctrination. Fascist, racist educational restrictions are the sign of desperation. I reject small-mindedness. I respect that kids are not idiots and can learn that more than one thing can be true at once. America can be founded on racism and inherently racist and you can still live your country. I could go on, but the point is these laws are stupid and need to be opposed and resisted at every turn. |
| Denae Henson | No comment |
| Ellen Copeland | I believe in the teaching of the truth the complete and unblemished truth |
| Jody Obryan Lmsw | my responsibility is to leave a legacy of love by teaching the truth. |
| John Porter | History should be independent of current political revisions. |
| Kyrsten Persells | If we are to develop a stronger, more compassionate society, we need to reconcile with the truth behind our country’s founding and our current systems. |
| Mark Lowe | Withholding information from my students is lying by omission. I will not respect or follow laws designed to restrict educators from focusing on select historical events. High school students deserve the truth. |
| Martina Vit | No comment |
| Matt Hamilton | No comment |
| Rebecca Herrin | We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events — regardless of the law. |
| Susan Hofbauer | It is important for all students to understand our history. |
| Tanya Dixon | No comment |
| Terry Carpenter | No comment |
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