No new teachers in Tacoma sign pledge on March 7 to teach Critical Race Theory

There were no new teachers in Tacoma who signed the pledge on March 7, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on March 6, the day before. It now has 14 pledges from Tacoma 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 Tacoma teachers included, “My role is to educate my kids with the truth, even when…no, especially when it is uncomfortable. We cannot move forward until we all understand and face our history” and “It is vitally important that we teach historical and present truth to help our young people develop critical minds and eyes in an effort to strengthen their individual and collective agency for substantive systematic transformation”.

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.”