There were no new teachers in Georgetown who signed the pledge on Jan. 3, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.
The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 2, the day before. It now has three pledges from Georgetown 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 Georgetown teachers included, “We can’t be afraid of things that make us uncomfortable or things we don’t understand. Hiding from uncomfortable or confusing facts won’t help us. The only way forward is to learn all the facts – even the uncomfortable, embarrassing, shocking and painful ones – so we can understand the world we live in and the people we live with” and “a refusal to confront the realities of the past means we will not find a way forward in the future. Educators know that students learn best when they make mistakes, change their path, then try again…why should the teaching & understanding of history be any different? Knowledge is power – I refuse to lie to my students”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Dee Crescitelli | We have an obligation to tell the truth, even when it is unpleasant and unflattering information about our heroes. Humanity deserves to know the complexity of the experiences that have brought us to this point in time, and we must really examine these in detail in order to come to terms with damages done. We can celebrate as well as critique the events that forged us as a nation, and in fact we must if we intend to keep moving toward forming that more perfect Union first described in the Constitution. |
| Julie Chien | We can’t be afraid of things that make us uncomfortable or things we don’t understand. Hiding from uncomfortable or confusing facts won’t help us. The only way forward is to learn all the facts – even the uncomfortable, embarrassing, shocking and painful ones – so we can understand the world we live in and the people we live with. |
| Tori Krider | a refusal to confront the realities of the past means we will not find a way forward in the future. Educators know that students learn best when they make mistakes, change their path, then try again…why should the teaching & understanding of history be any different? Knowledge is power – I refuse to lie to my students. |
