The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 2, the day before. It now has nine pledges from Bellevue 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 Bellevue teachers included, "I want my students of color to feel seen and their history heard and I want my white students to have the knowledge they need to help dismantle the systems that need torn down. I don't want any of my students to learn these truths 20 years out of school like I did, because I am embarrassed at the harm I've done out of ignorance" and "I had taught for 15 years in Texas where I was forced to hide the truth from students. I won’t do it anymore".
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 |
|---|---|
| Emi Morton | our children are going to create the future. |
| Eve Chan | No comment |
| Holly Huckeba | Thinking like a historian is a critical-thinking skill every teenager learns in high school. Thinking like a historian is an essential skill enabling future citizens to learn how to understand, analyze and identify FACTS. Students in public education must NEVER be told by their government which facts they are allowed to learn and which ones they are forbidden from learning. |
| Jason Friesen | No comment |
| Jessica Holloway | I teach a racially diverse population of students who deserve to be honored with honesty and respect. |
| Julia Morse | Civics education is more important now than ever. |
| Michelle Bodey | I want my students of color to feel seen and their history heard and I want my white students to have the knowledge they need to help dismantle the systems that need torn down. I don't want any of my students to learn these truths 20 years out of school like I did, because I am embarrassed at the harm I've done out of ignorance. |
| Shannon Chancellor | I had taught for 15 years in Texas where I was forced to hide the truth from students. I won’t do it anymore. |
| Terry Jess | I will happily violate any law that tells me I must lie to my students and maintain white supremacy through the teaching of a false narrative of our history! Decolonizing our history, our minds, and our schools is the only path forward! Come at me! |
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