Three Ballston Spa teachers pledge to teach Critical Race Theory despite controversy by week ending Oct. 9

By Saratoga Standard

Oct 24, 2021

Critical Race Theory will be taught by three teachers in Ballston Spa who’ve signed an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project by the week ending Oct. 9.

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 Ballston Spa teachers included, "I believe we can learn from history and do better and be better. Tough conversations are important and no teacher should be muzzled from teaching the truth" and "Students need to understand the harsh reality of our country's history in order to fully understand the events happening around them today. Continuing to bury this history or couch much of it in a whitewashed version will not make racism and division in our country go away; it will only add to more years of ignorance, more divisiveness, and more tragedy".

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 Ballston Spa who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Kathryn Massie	Students need to understand the harsh reality of our country's history in order to fully understand the events happening around them today. Continuing to bury this history or couch much of it in a whitewashed version will not make racism and division in our country go away; it will only add to more years of ignorance, more divisiveness, and more tragedy.
Kelly Connor	I believe we can learn from history and do better and be better. Tough conversations are important and no teacher should be muzzled from teaching the truth.
Lisa Glazer	I believe that it is vital to teach our students to think critically about our complicated history and complicated present in all disciplines and all grade levels.