No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has one pledge from Citrus Heights teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 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.
The new Citrus Heights teacher wrote “I am passionate about teaching the true history of the United States and not just the white-washed version. I am a white woman who grew up in South Dakota in the 1980s and 1990s where I learned history from a European perspective. When I moved to California, I took ethnic studies courses and learned history I had never been taught before. I changed my major to ethnic studies because of the passion I felt about learning the true history of the United States. When I became a teacher, I made a promise to myself that I would not stay silent about the history of the United States, both good and bad. ALL of our students deserve to know the truth.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.
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 |
|---|---|
| Natalie Billo | I am passionate about teaching the true history of the United States and not just the white-washed version. I am a white woman who grew up in South Dakota in the 1980s and 1990s where I learned history from a European perspective. When I moved to California, I took ethnic studies courses and learned history I had never been taught before. I changed my major to ethnic studies because of the passion I felt about learning the true history of the United States. When I became a teacher, I made a promise to myself that I would not stay silent about the history of the United States, both good and bad. ALL of our students deserve to know the truth. |
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