No new teachers in Bainbridge Island sign pledge on March 11 to teach Critical Race Theory

There were no new teachers in Bainbridge Island who signed the pledge on March 11, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 10, the day before. It now has five pledges from Bainbridge Island 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 Bainbridge Island teachers included, “What a treasure chest of learning if we look to our past and listen carefully to stories that were previously untold, erased, missed, devalued, hidden! The more of the past we find the more sense we can make of our world” and “Talking about race is not racist. I’ll say it again- talking about race is NOT racist. Until we face the social, political, historical, and economic implications of race within the US we will not be able to move forward with intention and grace”.

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.”