Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in Independence stagnates at six in week ending April 2

By SE Kansas City News

Apr 20, 2022

There were no new teachers in Independence who signed the pledge in week ending April 2, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Independence teachers by the end of the week ending April 2.

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.

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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.

Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.

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 Independence who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Courtney Petersen	I want students to know the truth. Students don’t need lies. History will continue to repeat itself if we don’t learn from our mistakes. How can we heal if we can’t name the problem?
Frida Sanchez	Now more than ever are we in a revolutionary era of teaching and learning. Knowledge is power, the students deserve the truth
Jennifer Gaye	My biracial daughter and all of our students deserve to learn our true history. “One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” – Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail," April 1963 We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events.
Jennifer Gaye	I advocate for all students. I advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools, curriculum, and community.
Rossana Serres	“no comment”
Sheri Tindle	My students deserve to know the truth about the history and current climate that have built the situation they live in. I am hopeful that with this knowledge and understanding, they will solve many problems and prevent some that needn’t happen.