Ten days ago, we shared a list of New Hampshire Teachers. They signed the Zinn Education Project pledge to teach critical race theory and race-shame your children even if it was against the law. The list has gotten longer, and we have the names.
We also have some of the comments provided by these teachers, which tell us a good deal. That they are dangerous human beings, who have stewed for so long in this poisonous ideology that many of them have become self-contradicting bigots.
People who, under no circumstance, should be allowed access to children, and certainly not for the purpose of molding their intellect, if we can even call it that.
Related: Here is a List of NH Teachers “Willing to Go To Jail” for Teaching CRT
Truth?
Not everyone who signed left a comment but most of them could not help themselves. And one of the words I keep seeing, not just from the Granite State’s so-called educators, but signatories in general is “truth” (2,254 times).
They claim that you can’t have an education without truth. I’d agree, but what truth? Who’s truth? How do we know it is not a false truth?
These ‘education experts’ must know the truth of history. That every murderous tyrant has claimed a special truth to then dehumanize entire races or classes of people for political purposes. That these programs lead to mob intimidation, riots, assaults, mass incarceration, and genocide.
History should not be kind to you.
By standing up publicly and advocating critical race theory (CRT) as “truth,” you have declared that some individuals are racist at birth. From their very first breath, perhaps even – though being liberals, I’d be surprised if they’d admit this – from the moment of conception.
How ironic.
A majority of you are probably liberal enough to be secular humanists. Most secular humanists are relativists and to a relativist, there can be no absolute truth, especially when dealing with moral issues.
But you are teaching original sin. That’s what CRT is.
But you can you have original sin without something opposite it? If there is evil there must be good and morality cannot be relative.
You’ve got another problem.
Original sin has always existed alongside the opportunity for redemption. Salvation. Forgiveness. But with Critical Race Theory, there is nothing but sin.
You are teaching our children that they were born a racist and so shall they die, and that there is nothing they can do that will change this.
Truth?
CRT has nothing to do with truth, and neither do you. Well, that’s not entirely correct. As I noted in the first piece on this list, a hard truth may be coming your way. Race-shaming children will get you sued, and you may lose your license to teach in the state of New Hampshire.
We will not be sad to see you go.
The Latest List of NH “Educators” who have promised to teach CRT even if it is against the Law
Any spelling or grammatical mistakes in their comments are from the original.
Samantha Leone | Nashua, NH
Those who refuse to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it! We will never get out from under the racism that defines our country if we don’t teach our children why it’s wrong.
Christie Cho | Concord, NH
Our continued reticence to acknowledge our history contributes to the ongoing systemic racism that has become a defining characteristic of this country. To not teach the truth—that this country was built by slave labor on stolen land by still-disenfranchised populations—is a disservice to our shared history, our collective future, and our children’s education.
John Dube | Plaistow, NH
I believe in encouraging my students to think critically, gather evidence to support their views and most notably in exposing them to all facets of history.
Vivian Jablonski | Durham, NH
Students deserve to know the truth! We have a responsibility to teach them the facts so they can come to their own logical conclusions.
Megan Kilar | Candia, NH
Students deserve to know the truth about history, not just the parts we like.
Meredith Walker | Manchester, NH
Truth is important. All cultures and perspectives need to be represented and people need to know all parts of history not the just good parts.
Lindsay Mears | Dunbarton, NH
Teaching without truth is not teaching
Barbara Kaufmann | Rindge, NH
We MUST know and teach our history, no matter whose getting upset. If we do not learn that we fail! Burning books, restricting books and discussions is NOT WHAT the Founders of this country EVER intended! Stop running scared and start understanding! These foolish laws and voter suppression, is by and far the most UN-AMERICAN thing that has been pulled on this country! Not what ANY soldier has fought for EVER!
Mika Court | Portsmouth, NH
Teaching and learning about systemic racism and sexism, and (more importantly) regenerative and healing alternatives have been my focus since 1989 when I graduated from high school
The following names were originally reported on June 25 but without comments.
MEREDITH Coffin | Stratham, NH
My students deserve to know the whole story so that they can be better informed citizens, and humans who recognize that everyone has their own story and experience.
Louise Pajak | Plaistow, NH
Children should be taught the truth.
Patricia Patricia | Hinsdale, NH
I want to be honest with my students, and want them to understand and learn from our past so that we can become One Nation and not repeat the past.
Nick Belsky | Alstead, NH
Citizens should know all History, not whitewashed History.
Sarah Downing | Keene, NH
We need to understand our history in order to make informed decisions as active citizens. This includes all the mistakes we have made as a nation. Rewriting the past is a symptom of tyranny and we need to stand up for democracy and preserve our rights to speak truth to power.
Laura White | Spofford, NH
I believe the health of our nation depends on citizens to be able to look critically at our past and present to understand current inequities in order to make lasting change. Difficult issues are often uncomfortable to discuss. And schools are great places to help teach how to talk about these things respectfully. Those who love our country are willing to look both its achievments and its failures in the face and work to make it great. I will continue the rich discussion we have in fifth grade about race and other issues in order to raise a compassionate and literate generation that can speak knowledgeably and comfortably about these issues. Legislation that attempts to gag such discourse is wrong and unpatriotic.
Lianne Prentice | South Tamworth, NH
Our school was founded on the concepts of open dialogue, critical thinking, and respect. We could not fulfill our mission if we chose elements of our nation’s history to ignore.
Heather Hyvari | Hampton, NH
the truth matters, and it’s important that people are educated, compassionate, and understanding. If we aren’t here to make the lives of others better and to care for our environment and one another, then we are of no good use to anyone or anything. Integrity, empathy, and kindness are of the utmost importance for the betterment and survival of our people and planet.
Mary Vogt | Portsmouth, NH
Sick of the government punishing people for telling the truth.
Abby Hood | Portsmouth, NH
Whitney Howarth | Concord, NH
Without the freedom to teach the truth, face our history and understand the most troubling parts of our past, we can not move forward, heal, repair and bring justice to all.
Jacob Bennett | Chester, NH
The proliferation of misinformed bills, laws, and rules banning teaching of “divisive concepts” suggest that the real evil is inquiry into historic iniquities and their living vestiges, rather than the iniquities themselves. I will seek the truth.
Yekaterina McKenney | Hampton, NH
I come from the Soviet Union – a country where schools taught propaganda instead of history. Many of my Russian friends and relatives are still blind, content consumers of their current state’s propaganda. This is why I refuse to propagate more lies and be part of the brainwashing machine. Knowing one’s true history doesn’t make one unpatriotic; it prevents self-serving nationalism.
Cailey Mastrangelo | Wolfeboro, NH
Eric Meth | Franconia, NH
Barbara Tobin | Pelham, NH
Not only do I want teachers to communicate the truth, but I want educators to guide education, NOT politicians!
Joanne Lazarus | Newmarket, NH
Understanding the role race has played in our history only allows for true academic and social growth. Ignoring race only leads to conflict and misunderstanding. It is NOT about political correctness nor cancel culture it IS about moving forward with understanding and positive intent.
Sean Russell | Manchester, NH
We have a moral obligation to tell the WHOLE story.
Cassidy John | Concord, NH
Kate Zimar | Lee, NH
I believe the only way for systemic racism to truly change is through a critical theorists approach to all teaching and learning. This bill is an insult to educators, families, and our youth! Shame on those in power attempting to pass this politically charged bill for no other readon than to maintain the positions in power held by the dominant white culture.
Cindy Falabella | Concord, NH
Kristi Lockhart | Newmarket, NH
real history matters! Our students deserve to learn the facts.
Olivia Bregani | Marlborough, NH
Students need to study (the true) history, and critically analyze the world to overthrow all oppressive systems.
Charlotte Scott | Exeter, NH
I find it outrageous that politicians could have a say in what we teach. Leave it to the NH department of Education to figure out what is best for NH students. They have the right to be given tools to determine truth and critically think for themselves without teachers being muzzled over facts.
Lauren Duquette | Andover, NH
The truth matters. It’s the most important structure for a society.
Paul Menard | Nashua, NH
Understanding the influences on events and people in the past does not demonize, villainize, or blame a person sitting in the room across from me. Teaching how a belief shaped events that influence us today helps us both see how our own thoughts and feelings impact us currently and helps frame solutions. Is it not a measure of greatness to admit our wrongdoings and work tirelessly to address them?
Jocelyn Merrill | Nashua, NH
Not only does a bill like NH HB544 add insult to injury, but it insults my students who are responsible and critical thinkers. They crave and deserve to have these “difficult” discussions in brave spaces like my classroom and in the classrooms of my fellow educators. As an English teacher, identity is one of the largest themes that my students and I tackle, and within that comes celebrating all parts of my students’. One of the most valid ways I can do that is through dialogue and offering literature that both speaks to them and their experience AND broadens their perspective on the experiences that people who do not look like them have.
Kate Soucy | Nashua, NH
Misty Crompton | New Boston, NH
I am signing this pledge because I am deeply disturbed by both the attempted culture war and censorship being thrust upon schools and other organizations all across the nation. The teaching of truth to people of all ages is essential so we can examine our past and create a society focused on progress. Good teaching also means utilizing a rich landscape of stories and perspectives that are all around us and I refuse to bury that truth as it is shared with the world.
Ryan Buchanan | Concord, NH
Whitewashing history does not change the harm our pasted actions has caused
Candace Moulton | Manchester, NH
Marianne Salcetti | Troy, NH
Truth matters.
Wendy Bergeron | Exeter, NH (signed it twice)
Students need to have a full picture of the history of the United States in order to learn from the nation’s mistakes and celebrate its successes. Students also need to develop critical thinking and media analysis skills that come from the Social Studies.
Shannon Kelly | Spofford, NH
my students deserve the truth and it would be unconscionable for me to deny them that.
Yussra Ebrahim | Portsmouth, NH
Our failure to reckon with the injustices of our past and our tendency to teach racism like it’s a thing of the past, or not teach it at all, is what has kept racism alive and thriving in our society today and has kept so many well-meaning, compassionate, intelligent people ignorant of the minority experience and ignorant of how propaganda is deeply rooted into our political and social systems and takes different forms and shapes our thinking; education is one of our best tools against hatred and the different damaging ways in which hatred manifests.
Gregory Giorgio | Manchester, NH
We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events — regardless of the law.
Penny Culliton | Temple Town of, NH
I refuse to obey a law that causes me to be the agent of injustice to another. And because education is not meant to make people all safe and comfy.Penny CullitonMascenic Regional High School
KATHLEEN HOLMES | Exeter, NH
Because there are people like MMc who say things like this, “…from promoting the principles that unite our nation toward promoting radical ideologies meant to divide us.” Yup, OK, let’s keep funding those principles of hate and xenophobia instead of something radical like the truth. I think Marx could have focused on a different institution; it’s not religious beliefs that work as opiates, it’s the beliefs of the politicians that keep everyone dulled. Kool-aid, anyone? I cannot comprehend how MMc makes sense to anyone.
Amy Scholes | Hampton, NH (signed it twice)
we need truth, transparency, and accuracy in what we share with our students.
Joanna Preucel | Manchester, NH
Accuracy in teaching our history matters in understanding of the very real issues of today
Stacy Brown | Hampton, NH
We need to have a reckoning with the true nature of our country’s history. We can never progress if we teach our students misinformation. In order to truly love our country, students need to learn the entirety of the truth, warts and all.
Carisa Corrow | Concord, NH
Racism hurts everybody, including white folks like me, my ancestors and my children. We can’t have justice for all if we don’t face the truth together.
Sherry Frost | Dover, NH
I am signing my name because too many people learned about Tulsa via HBO’s Watchmen. I’m signing because learning our *true* history makes us better citizens (and better humans). I’m signing because I don’t think politicians should dictate what happens in classrooms.
Stephanie Cassidy | Peterborough Town of, NH
It is time for authenticity and transparency and honest dialogue surrounding all facets of history. It is time for us to be unafraid, and instead of placing blame and remaining complacent, gain insight into our country’s past and how that past shapes our present moment.
Daniel Stowell | Exeter, NH
This result of this legislation is to scare educators into self-censorship on topics that have been too long ignored.
Note: Nicole Haahr (Dover NH) appears on the original list but does not appear on the most recent version of the Pledge.
