SW Minnesota Today

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

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from Traverse City teachers by the end of the week ending Sep. 18.

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 Traverse City teachers included “I want taught our whole history growing up, and only now my eyes have been opened. But I regret not seeking more and learning more earlier on. I don't want my children or my students learning false or botched history.” and “It is more imperative than ever to teach facts as well as to teach children how to interpret text. The history of academia has always been about academic freedom as well as ethical participation in arguement.”.

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
David Richardson	I will always teach students to think critically, which means they must examine all points of view. I will never lie to my students.
Alison Sullivan	my students deserve the truth. As Ibram Kendi says, if we love our country, we need to be honest about what it is.
Jessica Taylor	I want taught our whole history growing up, and only now my eyes have been opened. But I regret not seeking more and learning more earlier on. I don't want my children or my students learning false or botched history.
Duncan Moran	It is more imperative than ever to teach facts as well as to teach children how to interpret text. The history of academia has always been about academic freedom as well as ethical participation in arguement.