The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 28, the day before. It now has 29 pledges from Long Beach 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 Long Beach teachers included, "It's important for students to know the history of race and gender relations in this country in order to understand the race and gender issues that exist today. How can they be problem solvers in their communities without a complete understanding of their own history and how that history influences tomorrow's policies" and "I refuse to lie to my students. Also, I want to speak up for my colleagues who might be afraid because they work in the states where their constitutional rights are being violated and they could lose their jobs by teaching the history of this country".
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 |
|---|---|
| Alexandra Falconieri | I’m tired of the white washing being taught in American classrooms; silence to the inequity and social injustice demonstrated in the news every day. |
| Anna Stevens | I want my children to learn the truth, and allow them to critically think about their own choices. |
| Anne Wright | The truth is essential. |
| Annette Quintero | No comment |
| Antoinette Bailey | No comment |
| Brandon Rios | I refuse to lie to my students. |
| Camela Hadden | No comment |
| Elsa Flores Guiles | I believe in antibias curriculum. |
| Jessie Sabree | Youth deserve to know real history! Stop underestimating youth’s capacity to process information about race & gender. If they’re old enough to recognize it, they’re old enough to talk about it! |
| Joshua Aguilar | Well im signing because im a student that had taken this class and it has impacted my daily living and how i jnteract with others in a good way. So i feel if this were to stop being taught there would be a bigger problem in society. |
| Julie Culling | The truth matters. |
| Kayla Jolly | No comment |
| Kim Dohner | No comment |
| Leevonnie Johnson | I believe African Americans and other ethnic groups are allowed to research their own history and publish it. The 1619 project is an excellent example of outstanding research and interpretation of American History, Black History. We as Americans can no longer hide behind extreme inaccuracies in American history published by corporations. Corporations and "so called" Scholars who try to denounce the writings of anyone who contradict's the past writings of American history or present a new narrative wrong. I support the teaching of the 1619 project. Stop the lies. |
| Liza Gesuden | it is important to tell the truth about the history of white supremacy and all forms of oppression in the United States. |
| Marilyn Cortez | It's important for students to know the history of race and gender relations in this country in order to understand the race and gender issues that exist today. How can they be problem solvers in their communities without a complete understanding of their own history and how that history influences tomorrow's policies. |
| Marisol Ibanez Tintorer | It is my responsibility to students to be a bridge to our collective histories. The CRT push back is an insult to everyone. We learn, grow, evolve when we use education to lift & not suppress the truth. |
| Melissa Arechiga | Indigenous people are still here! The US government labels us immigrants on our own LAnd and continent when we are the rightful heir of the LAnd. 2021 indigenous people live under consist government occupation of our stolen LAnd. Are children are locked away in cages and family's separated. In order to cause kill our spirit. Just like they did with when stole indigenous children and put them in residential school. Now we are finding our indigenous children bodies buried under these horrible places. History is repeating. As an indigenous woman I need to educate my people, community, and relatives. In addition fight for accounting from those in power and corporation who have harmed us and continue to take from us without offering anything back and a lack of remorse. For example the #dodgers corporation #Displacers #IndigenouseLAnd #StolenLAnd #HonortheTreaties #TeachthekidstheTruth #LAndBack #VivaPaloVerde #LaLoma and #Bishop #NotChavezRavine #buriedundertheblue #ArechigaFamilyPresent ✊ |
| Myleen Deguzman | I am a U.S. History teacher that believes that students have the right to know the truth about the country in which they live and breathe. I want to empower my students to advocate for themselves and for their communities. |
| Raphael Sotelo | No comment |
| Rusty Rust | We cannot fix our social system without first recognizing that there is a problem. |
| Saneya Bair | Telling the truth about history and current events is pivotal to moving towards a more just society. |
| Scott Newman | It is important for students to learn the truth about our countries origins and the past events that have led to current conditions |
| Sebastian Castillo | Lack of access to knowledge will keep this cycle going longer than it needs to, change today leaves hope for tomorrow |
| Sheryl Garcia | No comment |
| Stacey Smith-Clark | No comment |
| Stacy Chapman | I refuse to lie to my students. Also, I want to speak up for my colleagues who might be afraid because they work in the states where their constitutional rights are being violated and they could lose their jobs by teaching the history of this country. |
| Viki Yamashita | I will not be censored by racists and trans/homophobes who thump the bible in the name of White Fragility and white supremacy. |
| William Goldner | No comment |
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