The pledge was signed by one teacher the week before. It now has 25 pledges from Grand Rapids teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 12.
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 Grand Rapids teachers included “I pledge to expose racist mythology in every corner of the curriculum. I pledge to help students identify and expose the racist policies that have led to the deplorable racial disparities in American society. If our society is to have a more equitable 21st century, all Americans must be able to contextualize Black suffering and articulate the history of injustice. Much structural change and healing is needed. As history teachers, we have an immense responsibility to confront racism and call it what it is.” and “We cannot continue white-washing history to make white people feel comfortable. America does not have a pretty story, and we cannot grow and build a better future until we can acknowledge that.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Morgan Wright | “no comment” |
| Areli Berlanga | As a teacher candidate, I believe my future students should have the right to learn about the truth of our nation's history. |
| Janelle Miles | I am signing in honor of my beautiful and brilliant Black and Brown students; my ELL's, refugees, LGTBQIA+, and their allies; my White students who are still understanding their privilege; and the future of our nation and our world. |
| Andrew Tisdale | “no comment” |
| Sarah Griesinger | “no comment” |
| Marcia Vanderwoude | “no comment” |
| Jennifer Becker | “no comment” |
| Margaret Venema | “no comment” |
| Sheryl Depker-Barau | In order to create a more just society that lives up to the ideals of this country, we need to educate our students about the true history of this country. White exceptionalism is not the true history. Denying the role of racism doesn’t erase the facts, but it does keep us from making progress. As a teacher, my goal is to move students forward in their knowledge and ability to think critically. |
| Bethany Gravert | We cannot continue white-washing history to make white people feel comfortable. America does not have a pretty story, and we cannot grow and build a better future until we can acknowledge that. |
| Holly Peterman-Gomez | I feel it is my responsibility to teach truthfully. |
| Paig Spender | Students should know the truth about our nations history! Teaching the truth and allowing for open and honest conversations gives students a chance to become better leaders for tomorrow and create a more welcoming world. |
| Lindsay Carlson | I think the history speaks for itself, but the idea of gagging teachers is frightening and Draconian. |
| Briana Klug | “no comment” |
| Kelsey Clapp | It’s important that our students are taught the truth about our history so we can learn and grow from it, and hopefully become better |
| Karen Johnson | Ignoring history is not going to change things. It will only make it worse. Our students deserve better. Our future deserves better. This bill is wrong. |
| Nicole Durso | “no comment” |
| Jill Gleason | I teach, in part, because I believe in truth. It is imperative we start talking about the reality of our origins. |
| Liana Conrade | Our students deserve to be taught accurate history and current events. |
| Emily Pearce | “no comment” |
| Blake Mazurek | Learning about our past SHOULD illicit a degree of uncomfortableness and challenge us. Understanding the truth about our troubled past will help us recognize the work we still have before us. It should also serve as a warning bell to guard against the rising threats to our nation. No, I do not hate America... I simply have high expectations for a republic dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal and a government of, by and for the people. |
| Krista Benson | There’s no place in education for lies. We must teach our students the truth of what America is, how it was founded, and the actions that we as a country are engaged in today. |
| John Walcott | I am committed to the development of critical thinking and a clear and complete view of history and society in all of our students. A similar bill has just been proposed in Michigan as well, and I join with and support all teachers and teachers educators who are committed to the truth and anti-racist teaching. |
| Matt Vriesman | I pledge to expose racist mythology in every corner of the curriculum. I pledge to help students identify and expose the racist policies that have led to the deplorable racial disparities in American society. If our society is to have a more equitable 21st century, all Americans must be able to contextualize Black suffering and articulate the history of injustice. Much structural change and healing is needed. As history teachers, we have an immense responsibility to confront racism and call it what it is. |
| Kati Pfleeger | I absolutely refuse to lie to young people, and I will not teach whitewashed stories from the past. Teaching the TRUTH is my job. |
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