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 Miami teachers included, "I will teach truth to power regardless of attempted suppression of academic freedom. I stand with my fellow educators and am ready to join in collective efforts to support academic and intellectual freedom at all levels of education" and "It is the right thing to do".
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 |
|---|---|
| Benita Gordon | No comment |
| Benita Gordon | We must teach the truth. We can't afford to repeat history! |
| Ceresta Smith | the truth will set us free. |
| Ceresta Smith | there is no way to teach language arts or broadcast news without asking students to apply a critical lens. Media, in all its genres, necessitates analysis that includes drawing fact-based conclusions on why and how concerning race, gender, and religious practice. As a retired educator that continues to tutor students, I will not gloss over or lie to them to make a select group of mostly white male legislators feel comfortable and in control. |
| Dr. Julie Hood | As a trained scientist, I believe in truth over bs. |
| Femi Folami-Browne | As a documentary producer I am against revisionist history and efforts to conceal true events. Teaching history affords students the ability to use critical thinking if taught how to examine and analyze the outcomes of certain ideologies and behaviors. |
| Gloria Pelaez | We can't address what we can't name. There is a need to address systemic racism with facts and with truth. There is a political movement in this country desperate to avoid change and who wants to control the narrative. Enough is enough. |
| James Sanchez | No comment |
| Lacey Williams | No comment |
| Laura Leigh Rampey | It is the right thing to do. |
| Logan Block | No comment |
| Madison Rodriguez | students deserve the entire truth so they can engage in critical reflection and move forward fully informed to make real progress. |
| Ron Cox | I will teach truth to power regardless of attempted suppression of academic freedom. I stand with my fellow educators and am ready to join in collective efforts to support academic and intellectual freedom at all levels of education. |
| Scot Evans | I refuse to lie to young people. |
| Suzanne Buddle | I refuse to lie to my students. |
| Theresa Fletcher | Teaching all history is vitally important. |
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