The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 11, the day before. It now has one pledge from Pahoa teacher.
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 Pahoa teacher wrote "I am an ascendant of kidnapped and enslaved Africans. My ancestors' bodies, culture, language, health, labor, resources and spirituality, were sacrificed in order for me to be here today. As an educator it is my duty and my right to teach about the historical foundations of the United States. It is important that the history, cultures, legacy and struggles of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, and Asia; as well as their valuable contributions to making the United States the nation it is today, is not distorted, erased and forgotten by future generations." 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 |
|---|---|
| Empress Modupe Olufunmi-Jacobs | I am an ascendant of kidnapped and enslaved Africans. My ancestors' bodies, culture, language, health, labor, resources and spirituality, were sacrificed in order for me to be here today. As an educator it is my duty and my right to teach about the historical foundations of the United States. It is important that the history, cultures, legacy and struggles of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, and Asia; as well as their valuable contributions to making the United States the nation it is today, is not distorted, erased and forgotten by future generations. |