No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from New Paltz 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 New Paltz teachers included “I owe it to my students to teach them the truth about our country's history.” and “Without honesty, there's no healing, individually or as a nation.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Katherine Gambino | I was taught incorrect history that not only moseducated us but left huge chunks of important historical events nd info out completely. When I finally attended a college course for history of the United States last year my professor taught us as much as he could but even he said he wasn't allowed to tell us about certain things I asked him because he had to stick to the curriculum. We need to teach out youth the truth so that past mistakes will not be repeated! |
| Rene Antrop-Gonzalez | “no comment” |
| Lance Fialkoff | Without honesty, there's no healing, individually or as a nation. |
| Maureen Crocker | I owe it to my students to teach them the truth about our country's history. |
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