No new teachers in Sun Prairie sign pledge on Jan. 25 to teach Critical Race Theory

By Madison Reporter

Jan 27, 2022

There were no new teachers in Sun Prairie who signed the pledge on Jan. 25, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Jan. 24, the day before. It now has four pledges from Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie teachers included, "Educators have a unique opportunity to influence the future, and I pledge to make sure I do my part to help the next generation embrace our diversity and find strength in unity by teaching them the truth about our past and our present" and "our futures dependant on it. We must dismantle the systems of white supremacy that exist in our country and critically look at our past to stop repeating it for future generations".

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 Sun Prairie who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Mary Hillebrand	Some people in the community where I teach do not understand why we need to teach the truth, or they are afraid of the truth. Our school district is taking action to right the wrongs, and I support them in the face of this resistance.
Michelle Holmquist	Educators have a unique opportunity to influence the future, and I pledge to make sure I do my part to help the next generation embrace our diversity and find strength in unity by teaching them the truth about our past and our present.
Petr Dann	No comment
Tasha O'Malley	our futures dependant on it. We must dismantle the systems of white supremacy that exist in our country and critically look at our past to stop repeating it for future generations.