No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has seven pledges from Altadena teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
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 new Altadena teachers included “It's time to change the way we teach about our past.” and “I do not lie to my students.”.
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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.
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 |
|---|---|
| Jacqueline Beaubien | “no comment” |
| Katherine Malone | “no comment” |
| Newman Clarke | Like Boots Riley sang, “ If your school won't show you how to fight for what's neededThen they're training you to go through life and get cheated.” |
| Erin Takeuchi | The only way to end systemic racism is to provide a historical lens other than that of white males |
| Kat Ross | Knowing where we have been can lead us to new and better places. |
| Emily Rogers | It's time to change the way we teach about our past. |
| Carrie Vanackeren | I do not lie to my students. |
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