No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has 17 pledges from Miami teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
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 Miami teachers included “Teaching all history is vitally important.” and “I refuse to lie to my students.”.
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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.
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 |
|---|---|
| Alejandra Novo | Lawmakers in Florida are attempting to pass legislation that would require teachers to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history. I refuse for this to be acceptable or the norm. It is anything but normal. |
| Logan Block | “no comment” |
| 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. |
| Benita Gordon | “no comment” |
| Lacey Williams | “no comment” |
| Dr. Julie Hood | As a trained scientist, I believe in truth over bs. |
| Laura Leigh Rampey | It is the right thing to do. |
| Benita Gordon | We must teach the truth. We can't afford to repeat history! |
| 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. |
| Theresa Fletcher | Teaching all history is vitally important. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Suzanne Buddle | I refuse to lie to my students. |
| James Sanchez | “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. |
| Ceresta Smith | the truth will set us free. |
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