No new teachers in Garden City sign pledge on Jan. 7 to teach Critical Race Theory

By Ada Reporter

Jan 9, 2022

There were no new teachers in Garden City who signed the pledge on Jan. 7, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 6, the day before. It now has three pledges from Garden City 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 Garden City teachers included, "CRT is the key to understanding white supremacist systems so that we may disrupt them and create for a better, more equitable world for all" and "I will not lie".

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 Garden City who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Hallie Kristalyn	I will not lie.
Mary Vlandis	I strongly believe this history serves a purpose. We must embrace all of American history.
Natashia Sylvia	CRT is the key to understanding white supremacist systems so that we may disrupt them and create for a better, more equitable world for all.