The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 17, the day before. It now has 10 pledges from Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City teachers included, "I refuse to continue perpetuating systemic oppression. Talking about and acknowledging the country's ugly history will help all of us learn from it and begin healing--together. Continuing to cover up just allows discrimination to fester and spread" and "It is important for us to dig at the truth and develop dialogue in order to create a better understanding ourselves and each other".
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 |
|---|---|
| Cecilia Robinson | All children will be better humans when they hear the stories of all people from multiple perspectives |
| Cecilia Robinson | I refuse to white wash history or pedagogy for the sake of white fragility |
| Danielle Jones | I know my history. When you know, you’ll do everything in your power to ensure the truth always comes out. My ancestors endured so much for me to be sitting here today. I am their wildest dream. Who am I to sit around while they remove the voices of the Global Majority and People of Color. Education is our Protest. |
| George McDowell | It is important for us to dig at the truth and develop dialogue in order to create a better understanding ourselves and each other. |
| Jennifer Williams | I refuse to continue perpetuating systemic oppression. Talking about and acknowledging the country's ugly history will help all of us learn from it and begin healing--together. Continuing to cover up just allows discrimination to fester and spread. |
| Joshua Higginbotham | No comment |
| Kelli Roberts | No comment |
| Leslie Jones | You are entitle to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts. |
| Nicole Hagans | I will teach the truth about how our nation came about the good, the bad and the ugly. I will also help my students see all sides of a situation, so they can become informed members of society. |
| Shelley Rees | Education is about access to truth, even--perhaps even especially--uncomfortable truth. |
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