The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 9, the day before. It now has six pledges from Little Rock 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 Little Rock teachers included, "All knowledge is political and true patriots love their country enough that they nature it so it can grow in the right direction for all its citizens" and "Knowledge is never neutral, and education is deterministic".
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 |
---|---|
Lindsey Warden | You can come pry my lesson plans, curriculum, and educational activities out of my cold, dead hands if you want to. Cheers! |
Mark Shepherd | No comment |
Mark Shepherd | Truth dies in silence. |
Rachel Dortin | No comment |
Susannah Livingston | All knowledge is political and true patriots love their country enough that they nature it so it can grow in the right direction for all its citizens. |
Susannah Livingston | Knowledge is never neutral, and education is deterministic |