No new teachers in Stites sign pledge on Oct. 26 to teach Critical Race Theory

By North Idaho Times

Oct 28, 2021

There were no new teachers in Stites who signed the pledge on Oct. 26, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Oct. 25, the day before. It now has five pledges from Stites 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 Stites teachers included, "the entire history of this country must be taught. We cannot literally whitewash out the parts that involved the oppression of, and violence towards BIPOC individuals" and "Knowledge of the whole! picture of our country’s history should not be hidden. We must take a 360° look at our past to guide as to a better place".

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 Stites who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Cathy Blake	Knowledge of the whole! picture of our country’s history should not be hidden. We must take a 360° look at our past to guide as to a better place.
Curtis Lanoue	No comment
Dr. Judith Dunkerly	the entire history of this country must be taught. We cannot literally whitewash out the parts that involved the oppression of, and violence towards BIPOC individuals.
Kathleen Holmes	History needs reality. Generals do not win wars; soldiers do. Conquest is not the behavior of friends; it's the behavior of enemies. The role of 'religion' needs to be uncovered.All people deserve the truth.
Roseanne Puzzello	All students have a right to know history of their society that is representative of all people.