Concord Ledger

Critical Race Theory will be taught by five more teachers in Concord, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Concord teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.

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 Concord teachers included “Racism hurts everybody, including white folks like me, my ancestors and my children. We can't have justice for all if we don't face the truth together.” and “Whitewashing history does not change the harm our pasted actions has caused.”.

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
Heather Ouellette-Cygan	This is an unjust law. Unjust laws must be broken. Also, it is immoral and irresponsible not to teach the truth. It is the only way to enact change for a better world for all.
Christie Cho	Our continued reticence to acknowledge our history contributes to the ongoing systemic racism that has become a defining characteristic of this country. To not teach the truth—that this country was built by slave labor on stolen land by still-disenfranchised populations—is a disservice to our shared history, our collective future, and our children's education.
Whitney Howarth	Without the freedom to teach the truth, face our history and understand the most troubling parts of our past, we can not move forward, heal, repair and bring justice to all.
Cassidy John	“no comment”
Ryan Buchanan	Whitewashing history does not change the harm our pasted actions has caused.
Carisa Corrow	Racism hurts everybody, including white folks like me, my ancestors and my children. We can't have justice for all if we don't face the truth together.