No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has 32 pledges from Columbus teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 Columbus teachers included “I teacher ALL of U.S. History, the good and the bad. I do not teach my students to hate themselves or this country. I teach them to use their voice and change it for the better! I refuse to lie to my students.” and “Cultural change begins with education. Social justice and equity begins with cultural change.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Anna Schottenstein | While feelings of discomfort can make people think as topic is controversial, discomfort leads to learning. The facts are NOT controversial. We must acknowledge our past and truth in history. Legislation should NOT be based on feelings but based on facts. We need to stop politicizing historical facts and spreading disinformation. |
| Danielle Polemeni | “no comment” |
| Megan Moriarty | There is no need to fear the teaching of facts. Your spin on what it means to teach factual history from multiple points of view is nothing but a scare tactic to get the uneducated masses into a Fox News frenzy. I pledge to teach the truth from all points of view. |
| Samantha Lortz | We can only make the world a better place if we know where we have come from. |
| Jana Clarke | “no comment” |
| Alice Ragland | The truth should not be hidden. |
| Jendina Bowers | M community and children need to know about their history and stop feeling insecure about their identity because they do not fit in America's culture. |
| Perry Heather | The truth matters and we owe it to not only the groups of people who have been oppressed for the entirety of US history, but also to the future of our country to teach them our failures so that they can build a better future for our country. This is not about guilt and shame, this is about justice and reconciliation for everyone. Reconciliation can only happen when the facts are given and dealt with. We owe it to our country to acknowledge our history and work to not repeat it. |
| Mark Stansbery | Critical thinking is as American as apple pie |
| Amanda Clark | This country cannot move forward until it acknowledges its past. My students deserve to know the imperfections and flaws that exist in the republic so that they are able to embrace the imperfections and flaws that exist in themselves. |
| David Nowak | “no comment” |
| Kari Djuve | “no comment” |
| Lindsay Gunther | “no comment” |
| Melanie Miller | Students need critical thinking and media literacy skills. If schools can begin to teach students how to think rather than what to think this will empower them to be life long learners. |
| Deborah Cooper | The time I spent as a classroom teacher convinced me that the skill students need most is the ability to think critically. Teachers have an obligation to help students learn these skills, which require students to weigh facts and evidence as they learn to search for the truth. Teachers do students no favors by misleading them, imparting half-truths, promoting certain views, or "protecting" them from uncomfortable truths. Students need to learn to question, and to broaden their perceptions and understandings so they can think creatively and to contribute more effectively to a changing society. |
| Elizabeth Obrochta | Truth matters. Some of my best teaching moments happened when my students started an honest conversation and had questions. I fear we will loose the ability to have those teachable moments and that is not in the best interest of anyone! |
| Susan Shapiro | “no comment” |
| Shawna McEvoy | “no comment” |
| Anita Waters | I believe that teachers should not be afraid to tell students the facts. |
| Leenisha Stennis | I want my students to know thé truth. |
| Ronda McIntyre | We only evolve as a nation if young people learn the truth about our history. As a teacher of American History in 4th grade and of the western hemisphere in 5th, oppression of minorities and those without wealth and power or is a fact. This history has become our legacy as systemic racism and marginalization of " others" remains a daily reality for so many, including my students. The way forward is NOT to sweep it under the rug. |
| Gheon Selemon | “no comment” |
| Rebecca Riley | Cultural change begins with education. Social justice and equity begins with cultural change. |
| Malik Moore | We need to honestly reckon with our past to create a future where all people can feel confident that the things we are afraid to talk about will stay in the past - unless some are hoping they become a reality again. |
| Chelsey Pulda | I teacher ALL of U.S. History, the good and the bad. I do not teach my students to hate themselves or this country. I teach them to use their voice and change it for the better! I refuse to lie to my students. |
| Elizabeth Braun | “no comment” |
| Sean Powers | “no comment” |
| Melinda Stimpson | As a non dominant identity I know what It is like when society refuses to tell your story or tells an inaccurate version |
| Lena Tenney | Teaching whitewashed history perpetuates a white supremacist culture rather than addressing racism itself. |
| Daryl Curry | “no comment” |
| Courtney Johnson | Kids deserve to know the truth about America’s racist past, so we can make the world better. |
| Johnny Merry | I will not teach lies or obscure the truth. |
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