No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from South Bend teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
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 new South Bend teachers included “Truth to childrenTruth to powerRight the wrong” and “I am appalled that legislators are demanding that we lie to our students to protect the lying legislators.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sharon Holston | teachers should never be forced to lie to students. |
| Peggy Appleby | Truth to childrenTruth to powerRight the wrong |
| Elizabeth Drake | “no comment” |
| Marilyn Arney | I am appalled that legislators are demanding that we lie to our students to protect the lying legislators. |
| Erin Lemrow | I believe in an educated, well-informed citizenry. |
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