The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 7, the day before. It now has seven pledges from Bellingham 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 Bellingham teachers included, "As a society, we will never live up to the ideals of a democracy with equity and justice unless we teach the truth of our history, help students to wrestle with multiple perspectives, to think critically, understand and address systemic injustices, and act to the benefit of themselves and their communities" and "I am concerned about the efforts to sustain white supremacy through laws that restrict the teaching of US history".
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 |
|---|---|
| Amy Caramella | No comment |
| Bruce Mansfield | I am concerned about the efforts to sustain white supremacy through laws that restrict the teaching of US history. |
| Janet Higbee-Robinson | No comment |
| John J. Ferreiro | I see no honest reason to lie to my students. |
| Kurt Dunbar | It is sad when so many are fearful of the whole truth being taught. Essentially, this is an inadvertent commentary of what American history really was and is. |
| Maria Timmons Flores | As a society, we will never live up to the ideals of a democracy with equity and justice unless we teach the truth of our history, help students to wrestle with multiple perspectives, to think critically, understand and address systemic injustices, and act to the benefit of themselves and their communities. |
| Nicole Seegers | No comment |
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