No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has one pledge from Mauldin 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.
The new Mauldin teacher wrote “Attempts to make it illegal to teach the truth about racism in this country's past and present is, in itself, a racist act, and I will not remain silent about this issue. Attempts to hide and distort such truths, however painful they might be, are immoral attacks on the very foundation of democracy itself. Any true patriot would be ashamed to be counted in support such laws.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| Nathan Cox | Attempts to make it illegal to teach the truth about racism in this country's past and present is, in itself, a racist act, and I will not remain silent about this issue. Attempts to hide and distort such truths, however painful they might be, are immoral attacks on the very foundation of democracy itself. Any true patriot would be ashamed to be counted in support such laws. |
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