No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has eight pledges from Greenville teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 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 Greenville teachers included “Academic freedom and truth are essential for a free and equitable society” and “I am committed to teaching and learning about equity and justice.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Katie Kelly | “no comment” |
| Michael Svec | “no comment” |
| James Campbell | “no comment” |
| Paul Thomas | Academic freedom and truth are essential for a free and equitable society |
| Katie Kelly | I am committed to teaching and learning about equity and justice. |
| Catherine Holub-Ward | “no comment” |
| Paul Thomas | truth matters. |
| Katie Kelly | We must teach accurate and history and not the white washed curriculum that ignores our country's problems if we want to ever overcome them and live in a society where there is liberty for all. |
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