The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 3, the day before. It now has three pledges from Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita teachers included, "The basis of a function democracy requires an educated people. That includes a realistic history of persistent racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, abelism and classism that has been an integral part of our nation's history" and "Democracy requires an informed, active citizenry. Students must know that our nation has been characterized by racism, sexism, homophobia, nativism, abelism, classism. This does deny that at times individuals have demonstrated a commitment to justice for all and have moved our nation closer to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws".
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 |
|---|---|
| Alex Reza | Democracy requires an informed, active citizenry. Students must know that our nation has been characterized by racism, sexism, homophobia, nativism, abelism, classism. This does deny that at times individuals have demonstrated a commitment to justice for all and have moved our nation closer to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. |
| Alex Reza | The basis of a function democracy requires an educated people. That includes a realistic history of persistent racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, abelism and classism that has been an integral part of our nation's history. |
| Victoria Lopez | Lies are told always and it is our job to be truth tellers. |
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