The pledge was signed by no teachers on Nov. 28, the day before. It now has eight pledges from Akron 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 Akron teachers included, "I am a teacher who believes in the power of words. I am a teacher because I believe that education, knowledge, and the ability to read and think for oneself is a critical tool of democracy and freedom. In all of history, the ones who knew history and were at the top of the pyramid in knowledge and education MADE history. Just like anti-literacy laws during slavery, peasants in feudal Europe, and many of our uneducated today, if you don't know the truth and you can't read and think for yourself, you're easy to lie to, scare, and manipulate. I pledge that will not be my students or my own children. I promise not to teach them WHAT to think, that's not the point. But I also promise to do the best I can to expose them to stories, perspectives, and history that presents a different narrative than the master narrative that is the canon of American Education. I believe my students matter. Their lives and their struggles and their history and our shared history matter. They deserve to know it and reflect on it and think critically about what it means for our nation today and their lives today. Above all, though, if you are lied to, the truth is hidden from you, and you exist in a place of half, semi-truths as your basis for reality, then you are disempowered. And disempowered people are hopeless people. And hopeless people with nothing to lose are dangerous people. If we want a country that strives for everything we say we believe in, the highest American Ideals, then we desperately need to pledge and commit to teaching hard history, multiple perspectives, and critical thinking and evaluation skills. Like Langston Hughes said in his famous poem, "Let America be America again, America that has never been yet...I say it plain,America never was America to me,And yet I swear this oath—America will be!Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,We, the people, must redeemThe land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.The mountains and the endless plain—All, all the stretch of these great green states—And make America again!" and "As a librarian and educator it is my professional and ethical duty to teach truth and critical thinking skills. I will teach truth as a way to show my students the love and respect they deserve".
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 |
|---|---|
| Dashua Holliday | I believe that when we know the truth, we can change past issues that continue to oppress, and we can make the future a better place for everyone. |
| Emily Knight | I am a teacher who believes in the power of words. I am a teacher because I believe that education, knowledge, and the ability to read and think for oneself is a critical tool of democracy and freedom. In all of history, the ones who knew history and were at the top of the pyramid in knowledge and education MADE history. Just like anti-literacy laws during slavery, peasants in feudal Europe, and many of our uneducated today, if you don't know the truth and you can't read and think for yourself, you're easy to lie to, scare, and manipulate. I pledge that will not be my students or my own children. I promise not to teach them WHAT to think, that's not the point. But I also promise to do the best I can to expose them to stories, perspectives, and history that presents a different narrative than the master narrative that is the canon of American Education. I believe my students matter. Their lives and their struggles and their history and our shared history matter. They deserve to know it and reflect on it and think critically about what it means for our nation today and their lives today. Above all, though, if you are lied to, the truth is hidden from you, and you exist in a place of half, semi-truths as your basis for reality, then you are disempowered. And disempowered people are hopeless people. And hopeless people with nothing to lose are dangerous people. If we want a country that strives for everything we say we believe in, the highest American Ideals, then we desperately need to pledge and commit to teaching hard history, multiple perspectives, and critical thinking and evaluation skills. Like Langston Hughes said in his famous poem, "Let America be America again, America that has never been yet...I say it plain,America never was America to me,And yet I swear this oath—America will be!Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,We, the people, must redeemThe land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.The mountains and the endless plain—All, all the stretch of these great green states—And make America again! |
| Erin Mundorf | I believe in teaching the truth and fighting for a better future. |
| Erin Saal | No comment |
| Kim Bennett | No comment |
| Kristie Pretti-Frontczak | No comment |
| Matt Meister | Every year I teach about John Scopes. Those who refused to learn history are repeating it right now. |
| Stephanie Devaney | As a librarian and educator it is my professional and ethical duty to teach truth and critical thinking skills. I will teach truth as a way to show my students the love and respect they deserve. |
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