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 Urbana teachers included, "We must learn our history in order to make real change" and "It is necessary that children be given accurate materials about Native peoples. This usually means correcting the narrative found in most history textbooks. That correction is not well-received by white people who don't want to face that facts of white invasion and exploitation of Native homelands and in the past--and in the present, too. We've seen positive growth of honest histories in children's books, but all of that growth is at risk in these 15 states and elsewhere, too. Native people are still here because our ancestors fought back against oppression. We continue to do that. I continue to do that with my work at American Indians in Children's Literature".
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 |
|---|---|
| Debbie Reese | It is necessary that children be given accurate materials about Native peoples. This usually means correcting the narrative found in most history textbooks. That correction is not well-received by white people who don't want to face that facts of white invasion and exploitation of Native homelands and in the past--and in the present, too. We've seen positive growth of honest histories in children's books, but all of that growth is at risk in these 15 states and elsewhere, too. Native people are still here because our ancestors fought back against oppression. We continue to do that. I continue to do that with my work at American Indians in Children's Literature. |
| Sandra L. Osorio | We must learn our history in order to make real change |
| Stacey Peterik | No comment |
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