Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in Moscow stagnates at two

There were no new teachers in Moscow 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 two pledges from Moscow 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 Moscow teachers included, “It’s essential that we face the inequalities on which this country has been built–and by which it still operates–in order to understand (and ask meaningful questions about) how our laws and institutions and social structure operate, and how we might create a more just society” and “I am against the unconstitutional actions to censor dialog about US history and the country’s dependence on settler colonialism, and the intersectional systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia”.

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.”