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 Madison teachers included, "I proudly and unabashedly teach my student's history! <3" and "My students deserve to understand all the complexities of US history so they can work to build a better democracy and promote human rights for all".
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 in Madison who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory
| Teachers | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Allen Cross | If we want to meet the promises of our democracy, we need a well-informed and critical thinking citizenry. |
| Alyssa Paolocci | No comment |
| Amy Garvoille | I teach truth, I teach non-fiction, I teach our future citizens. |
| Anthony Jennaro | I believe education is the best path towards creating a more just, equitable society and teaching the truth is an essential tenet of education. |
| Brenda Morris | My students deserve to understand all the complexities of US history so they can work to build a better democracy and promote human rights for all. |
| Brian Ward | No comment |
| Cindy Muralles | We need to teach the real history of this country in order not to repeat the past… |
| Dawn Liska-Tollefson | No comment |
| Dr. Brittany C.C. Vinson Ddh. | I am honored to be an International Orator/Advocate with a readiness to rage. My special needs family are subject to and victims of UNCONSTITUTIONAL behaviors from a SYSTEM WHO CRIES WOLF..... HOW MANY MORE FAMILIES ARE OUT THERE...HONESTLY, a local school district, judicial system and community INTRODUCED ME to THEIR FIELD! Government Officials have turned a deaf ear, a blind eye dehumanizing citizens deliberately. Such are unethical mannerisms that are insidious and unjust. Most are intimidated by autonomous citizens..... they prey and plot against individuals maliciously and murderously. Sadly, most get away with doing such a thing!HOWEVER, there is a SLIM chance suspects are held accountable and found GUILTY! “Her soul is eager with a readiness to rage, yet humble as she conveys. Such eloquence unites and creates an integral impact leading to a NATION under GOD. With liberty and justice for all. I am The Matriarch of the Nation,Dr. Brittany C. Vinson (DD)(h.c.) |
| Edie Mileham | Truth is truth; it may be ugly, but facing it is how we change. If we cannot be honest with our young people about our history and how it has led us to an unfair social system, how can they ever build the beautiful world we want them to live in: a world of kindness, justice, and love of the truth? |
| Elizabeth Donnelly | We need to continue teaching about social justice, and anti-racism. It is one of the best ways for me to be an ally and a co-conspirator with BIPOC colleagues, friends, and community. And it's the only way to create change for the future generations so they don't make the same mistakes and that they continue the great actions of bravery in the name of justice we have seen this year and throughout history. |
| Heather Weber | I proudly and unabashedly teach my student's history! <3 |
| Helena Moseman | I firmly believe that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. Children deserve an honest education. |
| Jacob Rodgers | No comment |
| Jennifer Greenwald | History matters. The truth matters. Children can handle complexity. It’s better for our collective future if we acknowledge the full truth of our past. |
| Jeremy Buehl | teaching about the history of country has to include the parts that we would rather ignore including the explicit pattern of white supremacy that has and continues to exist. |
| Jessica Hotz | No one should be taught lies. |
| Johanna Coenen | No comment |
| Jonathan Biatch | We need to offer the truth about our past, so that we can prepare for a future of reconciliation and justice. |
| Kate Schultz | Students should be taught to view history and current events through a critical lens. |
| Kathryn Blankenship | we need to teach the truth and come to terms with our history, or history is bound to repeat itself. |
| Kevin Attaway | I was raised to stand up to bullies. These pieces of legislation are attempts to bully teachers into inculcating a whitewashed view of our country and its past. There is a lot that is right with the United States, and there is a lot that is not. It is our responsibility to share all of that with our students, and to inspire them to embrace the good and change the bad, and the wisdom to tell the difference. |
| Kristi Sprague | Students deserve the truth and teachers should not be censored about teaching the truth. |
| Lissa McLaughlin | We destroy our children’s opportunities to think, dream and hope by denying them the truth, and by lying about our responsibilities to the past. |
| Marti Anderson | It is essential that educators provide students with accurate information about our country's history, which includes systemic racism, in part so they are aware of the past, and in part so they can use critical thinking skills to understand how the past has influenced the present. This knowledge of both past and present events and mindsets can then lead to students using their problem solving skills to design and implement strategies they (and we) can use to create a kinder, more just society. The past doesn't need to dominate their thoughts about our country, but if students are ignorant about the full story of our past, their ability to affect the future is significantly diminished. |
| Mary Klehr | No comment |
| Matt Aumann | No comment |
| Maxine McKinney De Royston | Our youth and our communities are watching and deserve an education that values and explores the diverse perspectives and experiences that constitute U.S. history, and other disciplinary areas. We must learn about our past, including that which is difficult and violent, in order to understand contemporary issues and tensions and build towards more just futures. |
| Michael Jones | when I became an educator, I made a promise to help our children understand our complicated world and its history, not obscure it because it makes certain people feel uncomfortable. Our children do not demand perfection from us and our ancestors, but they do demand and deserve honesty. And it is our duty to be honest with the knowledge we have accumulated, not whitewash it. |
| Olivia Benvenuti | Our children need to be educated about equity and the white supremacist systems that may hold them back. |
| Phillip Edmonds | This is proposed legislation is fear based and promotes deception to gain political strength. |
| Sharyl Kato | Children need to develop critical thinking skills, compassion for all in how we are the same and different and understand the essential need for understanding and loving ourselves and others from a humankind and social justice perspective will benefit not harm them. |
| Shawn Matson | No comment |
| Stephanie Biese Patton | No comment |
| Steve Somerson | We will not truly heal as a nation and make progress on understanding each other until we... * discontinue the sugar-coated history in our classrooms, * use an equitable lens to teach our youth about oppression as well as the resilience of peoples, * honestly reflect on our past and how these events affect current events |
| Terri Felton | Our students deserve the truth about our history. We can't make our world a better place if we don't acknowledge and learn from mistakes in our past. |
| Weslie Cymerman | No comment |
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