The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 16, the day before. It now has five pledges from Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove teachers included, "Truth may hurt but it helps us not to repeat the wrongs of the past" and "I am one of the fortunate educators who has been given the freedom and the encouragement to teach "hard history". Our students LOVE the relevance and truths they learn in our classes. We use resources from Zinn Education Project, along with Ronald Takaki's A Different Mirror, and lessons from Teaching Tolerance/Learning For Justice, among other resources. Our majority Latinx student population feel seen and represented in the curriculum and the white students also have the tools they need to become strong anti-racists. In this last school year the importance of this approach to history has never been more clear. From teaching about the history of voting rights during the election in November 2020 to the history of institutional racism and Jim Crow during the January 6th assault on the Capitol, it has felt like our classes are unfolding in real time".
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 |
|---|---|
| Hannah Golladay | It is important for students to know the true history of the US and to understand race and racism. |
| Jodi Blue | I value truth, history, and ALL our students. |
| Marcia Camacho | I am one of the fortunate educators who has been given the freedom and the encouragement to teach "hard history". Our students LOVE the relevance and truths they learn in our classes. We use resources from Zinn Education Project, along with Ronald Takaki's A Different Mirror, and lessons from Teaching Tolerance/Learning For Justice, among other resources. Our majority Latinx student population feel seen and represented in the curriculum and the white students also have the tools they need to become strong anti-racists. In this last school year the importance of this approach to history has never been more clear. From teaching about the history of voting rights during the election in November 2020 to the history of institutional racism and Jim Crow during the January 6th assault on the Capitol, it has felt like our classes are unfolding in real time. |
| Sarah Holt | Thank you for providing resources and inspiration for teaching the real history of our nation and highlighting the stories of all Americans. |
| Shari Exo | Truth may hurt but it helps us not to repeat the wrongs of the past. |
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