The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 22, the day before. It now has four 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, "The skills and lessons of history are a tool that can be used to help us do our jobs as citizens and bring about the society we want to be a part of (or build toward for those who come after us). Just like any tool can be used as a weapon, the stories we tell ourselves of the past can be used in the same way. I want to help students have tools to use so that they too can be good ancestors going forward and exercise their power as citizens to bring about the society that they wish to live in" and "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".
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 |
|---|---|
| Christopher Kozina | The skills and lessons of history are a tool that can be used to help us do our jobs as citizens and bring about the society we want to be a part of (or build toward for those who come after us). Just like any tool can be used as a weapon, the stories we tell ourselves of the past can be used in the same way. I want to help students have tools to use so that they too can be good ancestors going forward and exercise their power as citizens to bring about the society that they wish to live in. |
| Déana Scipio | 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. |
| Katy Curtis | Learning Truth will Build Humanity and y'all will feel more love and more grace. Be fearless. Choose love. |
| Katy Curtis | 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. |
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