No new teachers in Charlestown sign pledge on April 21 to teach Critical Race Theory

By Dartmouth Times

Apr 23, 2022

There were no new teachers in Charlestown who signed the pledge on April 21, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on April 20, the day before. It now has three pledges from Charlestown 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 Charlestown teachers included, "Public schools and public libraries are the cornerstones of a functioning democracy. Attempting to censor either goes against everything our country was founded on" and "I refuse to be bullied by lawmakers who have never stepped foot in a public school. American History is not pretty, and I refuse to teach children a dumbed down, whitewashed version of it just to appease bigoted individuals. Teaching accurate history isn't against the law".

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 Charlestown who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Jeff Walker	Public schools and public libraries are the cornerstones of a functioning democracy. Attempting to censor either goes against everything our country was founded on.
Joshua Lambert	I refuse to be bullied by lawmakers who have never stepped foot in a public school. American History is not pretty, and I refuse to teach children a dumbed down, whitewashed version of it just to appease bigoted individuals. Teaching accurate history isn't against the law.
Theresa Bouley	No comment