Two Keene teachers pledge to teach Critical Race Theory despite controversy by week ending Dec. 11

By SW New Hampshire News

Dec 28, 2021

Critical Race Theory will be taught by two teachers in Keene who’ve signed an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project by the week ending Dec. 11.

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 Keene teachers included, "I will teach my students the truth. I will not be silenced in an effort to perpetuate racism, colonialism, sexism, and ageism. Acknowledgement of intentional systems, acts of hatred, thievery, etc is the first and necessary step to healing and honoring our past and learning from it to make a better future" and "We need to understand our history in order to make informed decisions as active citizens. This includes all the mistakes we have made as a nation. Rewriting the past is a symptom of tyranny and we need to stand up for democracy and preserve our rights to speak truth to power".

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 Keene who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Sarah Downing	We need to understand our history in order to make informed decisions as active citizens. This includes all the mistakes we have made as a nation. Rewriting the past is a symptom of tyranny and we need to stand up for democracy and preserve our rights to speak truth to power.
Sarah Wirein-Rudy	I will teach my students the truth. I will not be silenced in an effort to perpetuate racism, colonialism, sexism, and ageism. Acknowledgement of intentional systems, acts of hatred, thievery, etc is the first and necessary step to healing and honoring our past and learning from it to make a better future.