No new teachers in Belleville sign pledge on Feb. 17 to teach Critical Race Theory

There were no new teachers in Belleville who signed the pledge on Feb. 17, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 16, the day before. It now has two pledges from Belleville 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 Belleville teachers included, “Students continue to see the effects of systemic racism daily – we are not sheltering them by not ‘teaching the truth’. Schools need to tackle these difficult topics, so that we can all learn from history to stop perpetuating racism. “EVERY Child MATTERS” and “Students continue to see the effects of systemic racism daily – we are not sheltering them by not ‘teaching the truth’. Schools need to tackle these difficult topics, so that we can all learn from history to stop perpetuating racism. “EVERY Child MATTERS”.

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.”