The pledge was signed by one teacher on March 9, the day before. It now has four pledges from Bend 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 Bend teachers included, "With truth, there can be reconciliation and a path forward for ALL of our citizens" and "I am signing my name because teachers have a fundamental responsibility to deal with facts. It is immoral, unethical, and criminal to mandate teachers lie, deceive or omit the facts of our being. I believe in the dream of the United States of America. Our countries founding documents have become the global dream. State dictated education sounds like something one would expect from the Mao regime. One cannot profess to love their country and not accept the truth of it".
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 |
|---|---|
| Amanda Redmond | Students deserve to know unedited history and it’s effects today |
| Debbie Panton | No comment |
| Debbie Panton | I am signing my name because teachers have a fundamental responsibility to deal with facts. It is immoral, unethical, and criminal to mandate teachers lie, deceive or omit the facts of our being. I believe in the dream of the United States of America. Our countries founding documents have become the global dream. State dictated education sounds like something one would expect from the Mao regime. One cannot profess to love their country and not accept the truth of it. |
| Laurie Walsh | With truth, there can be reconciliation and a path forward for ALL of our citizens. |
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