9 more Portage teachers pledge to teach Critical Race Theory in week ending March 12 despite controversy

By Kalamazoo Times

Mar 19, 2022

Critical Race Theory will be taught by nine more teachers in Portage, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has 11 pledges from Portage teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.

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 new Portage teachers included “Students deserve to be informed of all sides and have an open education!” and “Students have a right to the truth”.

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 Portage who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Kate Phipps	I believe students need to learn and understand the truth.
Joanne Walters	It is essential that accurate facts are reported regarding history.
Angela McMillan	a ban on teaching the truth about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression only leads to more racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression, and that is unacceptable.
Jeanne Friedman	Students have a right to the truth
Carlee Stoker	“no comment”
Ann Lamble	True history is important! So many stories are not being told! Kids are so much more intelligent than the average adult thinks they are!
Ashley Bowen	my students matter and education is power!
Amber Dixon	Students deserve to be informed of all sides and have an open education!
Tina Bravata	I support telling the truth, identifying and understanding problems in our society, and to develop collective solutions to those problems. I believe change to our society is crucial to our existence. I believe we must come together in solidarity to move to a more just and inclusive society.
Ashley Offidani	“no comment”
Pat Simpson	Students deserve to see themselves and their history reflected in their curriculum. We do Black and Brown students harm by ignoring or denying the impact that systemic racism has on their daily lives. Educators must work to upend systems of oppression, not perpetuate them.