No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from La Mesa 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 La Mesa teachers included “It’s my responsibility to teach the truth” and “refuse to lie because it makes people uncomfortable.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sharlene Justo | “no comment” |
| Marjorie Mayen | We need to teach the people’s truth, not a one sided,bias, romanticized, Eurocentric history. |
| Jennifer Treadwell | I will teach the truth about this country's story! |
| Autumn Sannwald | “no comment” |
| Elissa Grobman | refuse to lie because it makes people uncomfortable. |
| Brittanie Houriet | It’s my responsibility to teach the truth |
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