Greene County Times

There were no new teachers in Yellow Springs who signed the pledge on Feb. 21, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 20, the day before. It now has one pledge from Yellow Springs 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 Yellow Springs teacher wrote "To ignore or minimize raceportrays a distressingly incomplete history of our nation’s past to our students. Educators atall levels (from Pre-K through University) can teach students to think critically about race, gender, and various other identities in ways that support ALL STUDENTS. As educators we are trained to help our kids understand the complexities of our national history and to take pride in what the United States has accomplished while acknowledging the times we have failed to live up to our ideals." 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

Kevin Lydy

To ignore or minimize raceportrays a distressingly incomplete history of our nation’s past to our students. Educators atall levels (from Pre-K through University) can teach students to think critically about race, gender, and various other identities in ways that support ALL STUDENTS. As educators we are trained to help our kids understand the complexities of our national history and to take pride in what the United States has accomplished while acknowledging the times we have failed to live up to our ideals.