Rockingham Times

There were no new teachers in Portsmouth who signed the pledge on March 8, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 7, the day before. It now has two pledges from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth teachers included, "Sick of the government punishing people for telling the truth" and "Teaching and learning about systemic racism and sexism, and (more importantly) regenerative and healing alternatives have been my focus since 1989 when I graduated from high school".

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
Mary Vogt	Sick of the government punishing people for telling the truth.
Mika Court	Teaching and learning about systemic racism and sexism, and (more importantly) regenerative and healing alternatives have been my focus since 1989 when I graduated from high school