South Sound Times

There were no new teachers in Rainier 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 Rainier 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 Rainier teachers included, "School Counselors tell the truth. As we can see from those turning to autocracies and dictatorships, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Without it, democracies die. Students deserve the truth. Without it, they cannot make fully-informed decisions. Without it, they cannot become global citizens who care about themselves, others, the Earth, and their future. We all deserve the truth and need to hear it. We lie to ourselves and others at our own peril (ie. climate deniers, anti-vaxers, etc.)" and "History should be accurate. Full stop. The good, the bad and the ugly".

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
Rixa Evershed	History should be accurate. Full stop. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Virginia Rose	School Counselors tell the truth. As we can see from those turning to autocracies and dictatorships, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Without it, democracies die. Students deserve the truth. Without it, they cannot make fully-informed decisions. Without it, they cannot become global citizens who care about themselves, others, the Earth, and their future. We all deserve the truth and need to hear it. We lie to ourselves and others at our own peril (ie. climate deniers, anti-vaxers, etc.)