The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 19, the day before. It now has six pledges from Framingham 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 Framingham teachers included, "It is our role to provide students access to the truth, not to indoctrinate them with propaganda. Better said--in the words of my students--we learn history: 1) To not repeat the mistakes of the past; 2) to understand how the past has shaped the present; and 3) To find positive patterns and events from the past to inspire us as to what could be possible in the future" and "History should be taught accurately and not erased to paint a narrative that favors the dominant culture. It does more harm to keep people in the dark".
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 |
|---|---|
| Dana Huekell | the only way to dismantle systemic racism and to create a true country for all is to speak the truth! |
| Jason Austin | It is our role to provide students access to the truth, not to indoctrinate them with propaganda. Better said--in the words of my students--we learn history: 1) To not repeat the mistakes of the past; 2) to understand how the past has shaped the present; and 3) To find positive patterns and events from the past to inspire us as to what could be possible in the future. |
| Kyle Amber Clark | I am pledging to share the truth that has long been hidden, it is time to share the narratives and create humanity for the stories buried under colonized system. It is time to make all people free, especially Black queer disabled women of color. It is time to uncover the truth, the power to be free is to start here in the eduction system |
| Ling-Se Chesnakas | Our students deserve to know the complex truth of our country's history, which was founded on the genocide of indigenous folx and enslavement of Black people. The truth will set us free. |
| Magaly Rivera | History should be taught accurately and not erased to paint a narrative that favors the dominant culture. It does more harm to keep people in the dark. |
| Sara Harvey | Our children deserve to know the whole truth. |
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