The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 11, the day before. It now has eight pledges from Hampton 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 Hampton teachers included, "the truth matters, and it’s important that people are educated, compassionate, and understanding. If we aren’t here to make the lives of others better and to care for our environment and one another, then we are of no good use to anyone or anything. Integrity, empathy, and kindness are of the utmost importance for the betterment and survival of our people and planet" and "My role as an educator is to encourage young people to think critically, challenge norms, and inspire positive change".
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 |
|---|---|
| Amy Scholes | No comment |
| Amy Scholes | we need truth, transparency, and accuracy in what we share with our students. |
| Heather Hyvari | the truth matters, and it’s important that people are educated, compassionate, and understanding. If we aren’t here to make the lives of others better and to care for our environment and one another, then we are of no good use to anyone or anything. Integrity, empathy, and kindness are of the utmost importance for the betterment and survival of our people and planet. |
| John Armstrong | My role as an educator is to encourage young people to think critically, challenge norms, and inspire positive change. |
| Lara Johnson | No comment |
| Ross Phillips | No comment |
| Stacy Brown | We need to have a reckoning with the true nature of our country's history. We can never progress if we teach our students misinformation. In order to truly love our country, students need to learn the entirety of the truth, warts and all. |
| Yekaterina McKenney | I come from the Soviet Union - a country where schools taught propaganda instead of history. Many of my Russian friends and relatives are still blind, content consumers of their current state's propaganda. This is why I refuse to propagate more lies and be part of the brainwashing machine. Knowing one's true history doesn't make one unpatriotic; it prevents self-serving nationalism. |
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