The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 25, the day before. It now has 13 pledges from Spokane 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 Spokane teachers included, "I think Howard Zinn said it best when he said: "History is important. If you don’t know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody up there in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it" (Howard Zinn). I pledge to teach the truth so that those in power do not erase the realities and truths of history. I pledge to teach the truth so my students are critical thinkers who are empowered to make a real change in this world. I pledge to teach the truth because social justice matters" and "We must teach our children how things actually happened in the past if we want them to do better in the future".
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 |
|---|---|
| Alexandra Jones | The truth matters. |
| Amy Staggs | This is VITAL work and we cannot be deterred! |
| Ben Rall | No comment |
| David Egly | There is no one "history" - there are many "histories", many lived experiences by different individuals & peoples throughout history as well as today. I strive to honor those histories by helping students understand past events and movements through many different perspectives. In this way, we get closer to the truth about our past and are able to see our present with a more nuanced vision. |
| Jae Lancaster | All change towards the good can only manifest on truths.... |
| Jessica Gaynor | I think Howard Zinn said it best when he said: "History is important. If you don’t know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody up there in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it" (Howard Zinn). I pledge to teach the truth so that those in power do not erase the realities and truths of history. I pledge to teach the truth so my students are critical thinkers who are empowered to make a real change in this world. I pledge to teach the truth because social justice matters. |
| Joan Braune | No comment |
| John Browning | No comment |
| Kelsey Rust | We must teach our children how things actually happened in the past if we want them to do better in the future. |
| Nicole Willms | No comment |
| Scott Ward | A curriculum that centers the struggle, resistance, and triumph of marginalized groups is critical in building thinkers capable of interrogating our current systems and fighting for a future in which every person is free. |
| Trevor Bradley | Citizenship that is based in critical thinking, inquiry, and a desire for the truth is fundamental to a society that seeks its own betterment. The oppressive dynamics of racism, sexism, classism, and colonialism permeate our past and present; so too will they fill our future if we don’t take subversive action to undermine them now. Education is central to the mission of righting the wrongs of the past and realizing a just world for ourselves and for future generations. I will not give up on this mission. I pledge to teach the truth. |
| Tyler Wilch | No comment |
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