No new teachers in Lancaster sign pledge on Dec. 29 to teach Critical Race Theory

By San Jose Standard

Dec 31, 2021

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

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 28, the day before. It now has eight pledges from Lancaster 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 Lancaster teachers included, "Students deserve the truth. To give them anything but the truth will only result in distrust and confusion when they inevitably discover the real situation. It is a disservice and disrespectful to think our students cannot handle the truth. It is also problematic and a surefire way to ensure the continued oppression of marginalized people. Is that what we want? I don't" and "Students deserve the truth".

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 Lancaster who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Amanda Schlee	Students deserve the truth.
Andrew Lavery	No comment
Barron Gardner	No comment
Billie Martin	It’s important for all people to understand and hear the voices of everyone that makes up the United States and not just those who held power.
Howard Hanson	we should never have to hide the truth about this country and the western civilization.
Lucia Reyes	Our kids deserve the truth
Tracy Smith	When we are brave enough to face the truth we break the toxic cycles of history. This is how we become a more perfect union.
Yvonne Miranda	Students deserve the truth. To give them anything but the truth will only result in distrust and confusion when they inevitably discover the real situation. It is a disservice and disrespectful to think our students cannot handle the truth. It is also problematic and a surefire way to ensure the continued oppression of marginalized people. Is that what we want? I don't.