Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in East Providence stagnates at five in week ending Nov. 27

By Providence Reporter

Nov 29, 2021

There were no new teachers in East Providence who signed the pledge in week ending Nov. 27, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has five pledges from East Providence teachers by the end of the week ending Nov. 27.

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. 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 East Providence who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Alyson Catalan	“no comment”
Rodney López	Traditional history curricula have been mostly inadequate in educating our children about the complexity of race in the history of the United States. CRT and anti-racist teaching seek to correct a mostly one-sided view of history. That there is such an uprising against it, unfortunately, exposes the deep-seated commitment that some have to a curriculum that centers whiteness, while othering the experiences of people of color.
Libby Merrill	“no comment”
Noelle Walters	All children deserve to learn to think for themselves based on factual information
Noelle Walters	Our children deserve to learn the most accurate and up-to-date, research- and evidence-based information. Teachers deserve to be able to provide the most accurate, up-to-date, research- and evidence-based information available to their students. It is essential that our children learn to think critically, to ask questions, and develop the capacity to make the decisions that will shape our country and our world. PLEASE don't disenfranchise children or their teachers by limiting their rights as citizens. Our democracy depends on an informed public.