The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 21, the day before. It now has two pledges from Muskego 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 Muskego teachers included, "I am a resident of Muskego WI and I am very concerned about the legislation that is being proposed that would place restrictions on teachers and what they teach regarding history in our schools. I am a school nurse in Milwaukee WI. I have three daughters in the Muskego Norway School district and I want them to be able to discuss the truth when it comes to history lessons being discussed in the classroom. This includes uncomfortable history like slavery and stealing land from indigenous peoples, and the impacts these long-ago traumas have on descendants and communities today. Please don't pass these bills. I believe we need to look at our past and acknowledge the truth so we don't make the same mistakes again. I am happy that my children learn about I am against any bill that would prohibit allowing teachers, professors and instructors from teaching about race or sex stereotyping in Wisconsin’s K-12 public schools, independent charter schools or public universities and technical colleges.Thank you," and "Bigotry".
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 |
---|---|
Chuck Wichgers | Bigotry |
Marni Hebert | I am a resident of Muskego WI and I am very concerned about the legislation that is being proposed that would place restrictions on teachers and what they teach regarding history in our schools. I am a school nurse in Milwaukee WI. I have three daughters in the Muskego Norway School district and I want them to be able to discuss the truth when it comes to history lessons being discussed in the classroom. This includes uncomfortable history like slavery and stealing land from indigenous peoples, and the impacts these long-ago traumas have on descendants and communities today. Please don't pass these bills. I believe we need to look at our past and acknowledge the truth so we don't make the same mistakes again. I am happy that my children learn about I am against any bill that would prohibit allowing teachers, professors and instructors from teaching about race or sex stereotyping in Wisconsin’s K-12 public schools, independent charter schools or public universities and technical colleges.Thank you, |