Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in San Leandro stagnates at six

By Central Alameda News

Dec 10, 2021

There were no new teachers in San Leandro who signed the pledge on Dec. 8, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 7, the day before. It now has six pledges from San Leandro 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 San Leandro teachers included, "estudiantes merecen saber la verdad de nuestra historia para aprender de los ancestros, no cometer los mismos errores, y crear un futuro donde cada persona tiene el derecho de vivir una vida libre, sin opresión o violencia" and "Freedom and truth is everything!".

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 San Leandro who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Belen Magers	I care about teaching the truth of our history to our youth. Social justice and equity should be part of our youth’s education always. We can’t be bullied; we can’t be silenced.
Edward Mejia-Sarate	We’ve got two years to right this ship!
Irazema Guerrero	estudiantes merecen saber la verdad de nuestra historia para aprender de los ancestros, no cometer los mismos errores, y crear un futuro donde cada persona tiene el derecho de vivir una vida libre, sin opresión o violencia.
Kirsten Hansen	I remember when I finally learned the real history and felt utter betrayal from my educators. I don’t want students to feel that anger about their own learning.
Marissa Pienaar	Sankofa, tells us you must look back to see where you are going. In order to move to a collective future where everyone can thrive, the truth of the past is necessary. We can't get to freedom without first acknowledging truth.
Saul Schultheis-Gerry	Freedom and truth is everything!