The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 4, the day before. It now has 41 pledges from St. Louis 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 St. Louis teachers included, "Teaching kids to seek and understand diverse perspectives and honor truth will help us move forward in fulfilling the ideals set forth in our governing documents" and "I will not whitewash history and hinder minority perspectives in my class. I will honor every voice and every history, just as primary and secondary sources report".
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 |
|---|---|
| Aimee Loveless | I am an educator who believes in teaching the truth! |
| Angie Rundle | No comment |
| Anna Kazanecki | No comment |
| Bethany Keller | No comment |
| Brendan Berkery | We cannot create a better world without acknowledging the mistakes of the past and present. |
| Chris Winfrey | I strongly oppose any effort to whitewash history and to ban the teaching of concepts and ideas which challenge students to think for themselves, and to draw their own opinions.What Missouri legislators are attempting to do is to muzzle teachers, and to stifle intellectual freedom. |
| Christina Salmo | No comment |
| Coff E. Break | No comment |
| Corinne Wenz | As a both a parent and a teacher, I know the feeling of wanting to do all I can to protect our children. This blindly leads us to believe if our children don't "see" the harsh reality they won't know it exist and live happily ever after. Though we are constantly telling our children to be honest. To live with integrity. To be a good person. How can we teach those lessons, but then lie about what their peers are living through. We must find a way to protect ALL children. We must be truthful in ALL aspects of life. It is only then we can you be safe. Lean into the discomfort. |
| Deborah Cohen | No comment |
| Deborah Schmidt | No comment |
| Donna Cook | I committed to teaching the truth during my 25 year teaching career. I’ve since come to realize we left out so much of our history and often did not give students an accurate understanding of the systemic injustice and racism that has existed throughout American History. I stand with educators throughout our country who seek to teach the truth, to teach all of America’s story. |
| Edward Taylor | Milton Mayer, in his book "They Thought They Were Free" showed the dangers of ignorance and misinformation and prejudice leading to Nazi Germany. In a country of "alternative facts" and when many Americans believe "The Big Lie" and doubt the need for masks and vaccinations -- when there are vituperative attacks on Board members and teachers, libraries and curriculum -- we are the defenders of democracy. A good year to teach Orwell's 1984. A good year to teach truth. |
| Elizabeth Herbert | History is a collection of truths, not a collection of lies. |
| Ellie Desprez | Teaching our nation’s history and stories that help illustrate it comprehensively is a vital part of working toward a true democracy that enfranchises all citizens. |
| Grace Hogan | Truth matters, and facts must be taught. Children deserve to learn our whole history. |
| Heidi Kwentus | No comment |
| Hugh Janus | I am proud to be joining this elite group of teachers who will not distinguish between political theory and truth and will not be bothered with the niceties of logic or rational thought. Untie! |
| Jason Spray | No comment |
| Jennifer Enserink | No comment |
| Jillian Miesen | I will not whitewash history and hinder minority perspectives in my class. I will honor every voice and every history, just as primary and secondary sources report. |
| Jillian Miesen | Teaching history means teaching all of it. |
| Marshata Caradine | I am unable to detach myself as a Black woman and mother to being a Black educator. It is our reality. It is a vicious, known, clear, intentional and legislated history. It is indeed imperative that we teach our chidren the truth so that they can be the change we all need. |
| Marshata Caradine | Our children MUST know the truth to change the trajectory of their life's journey. Because of BLACK PEOPLE they are, have been. |
| Martha Jaegers | No comment |
| Martha Jaegers | This history helps students understand the roots of inequality today and gives them the tools to shape a just future. |
| Mary Bayer | No comment |
| Maye Bryant | No comment |
| Megan Wolfslau | Teaching kids to seek and understand diverse perspectives and honor truth will help us move forward in fulfilling the ideals set forth in our governing documents. |
| Melanie Duffner | Ignorance is dangerous. |
| Melissa Dillon | I refuse to lie to my students and erase the oppression that has been perpetuated by the United States government that has had a direct impact on my students. |
| Melissa H. Krause | History must be based in comprehensive fact, not just the cherry-picking of easy truths. |
| Patricia Cliffe | Eliminating big parts of history/herstory is a lie. Children/Teens in Missouri deserve to know the full truth of history/herstory of the United States.Patty Cliffe, MSW |
| Patricia Creek | Truth must always be told! As a teacher, once you know the truth, it is your responsibility to correct any misconceptions. |
| Pyper Dee | No comment |
| Samantha Tabb | No comment |
| Sarah Regan | No comment |
| Stacie Boren | Our history needs to be told correctly because we keep doing the same thing over and over - hate does not ever win. |
| Stephen Werner | The future of America is in the hands of good teachers who are free to speak the truth! |
| Tracy Wicker | we are hiding the truth. Our children deserve better. |
| Whitney Crabtree | In order to heal our wounds, we must know the truth and recognize the pain our nation has caused its citizens both in the past and the present. |
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