Quantcast

Will County Gazette

Saturday, November 2, 2024

No new teachers in Joliet sign pledge on Oct. 29 to teach Critical Race Theory

Hs 07

There were no new teachers in Joliet who signed the pledge on Oct. 29, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 28, the day before. It now has two pledges from Joliet 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 Joliet teachers included, "When we link the truth about the past to the reality of the world we continue to live in at the present we have the best possible chance to educate in a way that will create the best possible democracy for the future" and "I’m supporting my school district’s commitment to educating our teachers and staff on the topics of white privilege, implicit bias and the systemic historical racism we have seen in the United States for centuries. We want our brothers and sisters of color to know that we seek to understand and that we believe knowledge is power. It is my belief this will open up honest conversations in the classroom as we acknowledge the hateful injustices that have occurred for centuries. (Which were glossed over in textbooks for as long as I can remember.)".

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 in Joliet who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory
TeachersThoughts on Critical Race Theory
Brigette BloomfieldI’m supporting my school district’s commitment to educating our teachers and staff on the topics of white privilege, implicit bias and the systemic historical racism we have seen in the United States for centuries. We want our brothers and sisters of color to know that we seek to understand and that we believe knowledge is power. It is my belief this will open up honest conversations in the classroom as we acknowledge the hateful injustices that have occurred for centuries. (Which were glossed over in textbooks for as long as I can remember.)
David ZuckerWhen we link the truth about the past to the reality of the world we continue to live in at the present we have the best possible chance to educate in a way that will create the best possible democracy for the future.

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS