Pinal Today

There were no new teachers in Sun City West who signed the pledge on Nov. 29, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Nov. 28, the day before. It now has two pledges from Sun City West 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 Sun City West teachers included, "I have a Ph.D in the history of religion and taught in university for 20 years. It's a great day when a student realizes there is so much more to history than what they had been taught in grade school and high school. Now retired, I am giving my time to the lower grades. It's rewarding" and "I can't imagine discussing current economic issues without discussing past decisions and affects of those decisions. When talking about policy that affects all genders and races in my classroom they all need to know they are important and how those policies have or will affect them".

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
Harriet Luckman	I have a Ph.D in the history of religion and taught in university for 20 years. It's a great day when a student realizes there is so much more to history than what they had been taught in grade school and high school. Now retired, I am giving my time to the lower grades. It's rewarding.
Stacy Green	I can't imagine discussing current economic issues without discussing past decisions and affects of those decisions. When talking about policy that affects all genders and races in my classroom they all need to know they are important and how those policies have or will affect them.