The leader of an influential teachers union promised Tuesday to defend those who teach what she regards as an “honest history” of the U.S.
The American Federation of Teachers (ATF) is preparing litigation and is “ready to go,” according to a copy of remarks union president Randi Weingarten delivered at a conference Tuesday.
Weingarten swore to combat “culture warriors” who attempt to censor a realistic telling of the history of the U.S., according to the statement.
“Let’s be clear: critical race theory is not taught in elementary schools or high schools. It’s a method of examination taught in law school and college that helps analyze whether systemic racism exists,” Weingarten said in the remarks.
I just thanked educators for their work during COVID, laid out a vision for schools to be safe & welcoming for all, lifted up literacy & civics & communality schools & pledged to support educators who are teaching honest history. Here it is #TEACH21 https://t.co/T08B0Vg0Lr
— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) July 6, 2021
CRT holds that America is fundamentally racist, yet its proponents teach people to view every social interaction and person in terms of race.
Over 165 local and national parent groups have organized to combat CRT being taught in schools, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported in June.
A policy that some object to in Washington, D.C. schools included “asking teachers to adjust homework assignments according to a child’s skin color,” Jonathan Butcher, a Will Skillman fellow in education at The Heritage Foundation, previously told the DCNF.
“Culture warriors are labeling any discussion of race, racism or discrimination as CRT to try to make it toxic. They are bullying teachers and trying to stop us from teaching students accurate history,” Weingarten said Tuesday.
Weingarten’s response is an attempt to combat nearly 20 states’ proposals to ban what they regard as CRT. Six states have already passed laws that limit how teachers can discuss race in the classroom, with nearly a dozen more currently considering similar legislation, the DCNF reported. (RELATED: Here’s What’s Actually In The GOP’s Anti-Critical Race Theory Bills)
“Teaching the truth is not radical or wrong. Distorting history and threatening educators for teaching the truth is what is truly radical and wrong,” Weingarten said.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.