No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has nine pledges from Rancho Cucamonga 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.
Comments from new Rancho Cucamonga teachers included “As a US History teacher it is unconscionable that politicians and history deniers are trying to stifle the people’s history, the good, the bad, AND the ugly, in favor of a whitewashed, incomplete, and incorrect account of our past.” and “We study history to learn from it and make sure we are doing our best to prevent horrible events from happening again.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Michele Johnson | “no comment” |
| Omar Dphrepaulezz | I will NEVER stop teaching the history(ies) of the pernicious, poisonous, destructive, ideologies of white supremacy and imperialism |
| Omar Dphrepaulezz | “no comment” |
| Wendy Eccles | As a US History teacher it is unconscionable that politicians and history deniers are trying to stifle the people’s history, the good, the bad, AND the ugly, in favor of a whitewashed, incomplete, and incorrect account of our past. |
| Demiana Ghobrial | “no comment” |
| Elizabeth Phillips | the truth deserves to be told |
| Noel Arretche | “no comment” |
| April Hendrick | We study history to learn from it and make sure we are doing our best to prevent horrible events from happening again. |
| Elizabeth Phillips | Our students deserve to learn the true history of our country |
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