Signatures
This is the list of people who have signed the pledge or petition to date.
Sariah Winn | Phoenix, AZ
We can only move forward if we examine the truth - our students deserve to learn truth
Tammie Vinson | Chicago, IL
It's the right thing to do
Lisza Johnson | Milwaukee, WI
Lexis Sullens | Memphis, TN
Gianna Cassetta | Wrentham, MA
Lillian Lawrence-Paine | Burlington, VT
Maria Alvarado | Milwaukee, WI
Mandilyn Veeder | Milwaukee, WI
Katherine Laritson | Milwaukee, WI
We’ve been lied to by our government far too long! We murdered millions of Native Americans and you want to continue to LIE about how badly we’ve treated our black brothers & sisters? I don’t think so! We might as well start loving one an another to get to work to save our PLANET! There’s no time for bullshit!
Tracey Watford | Milwaukee, WI
I am signing my name because I believe that ALL of our country's history should be studied, taught and understood so that we do not repeat the same mistakes and are able to heal the hurts, harms and traumas the actions and systems set forth during this history created.
Jeff Hannan | Milwaukee, WI
Leland Pan | Milwaukee, WI
Sherri Lucas-Hall | Lawrenceville, GA
Students NEED to be taught the truth if we expect them to make meaningful contributions to society and NOT repeat the errors and cruelty of the past. They need to be BETTER than previous generations. They cannot do that WITHOUT know the ENTIRE truth of our existence.
John Hegelmeyer | Milwaukee, WI
Katie Oglesby | Milwaukee, WI
The truth needs to be told! Historical inaccuracies being taught to our children, my child, make them believe in an America that doesn't exist for some marginalized groups of people who are American citizens. We need to share the truth with children who have the ability to change the systems in the future so all people have the same rights to resources, services and education as one another. They can't and won't change anything if they believe in the fairytale of a fair and equal America being pushed on them through the current history being taught in classroom.
Melissa Temke | Milwaukee, WI
It’s the right thing to do.
The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice | Philadelphia, PA
As Black male educators committed to social, racial, and educational justice, we cannot ignore these oppressive tactics wielded against teaching truth, educating critical thinkers, and informed citizens.
Alex Haddad , PA
this is crucially important work.
Michele Cuomo | Winter Springs, FL
In order for this union to be made more perfect we must address its failings.
Thor Templin | Milwaukee, WI
Truth is truth and has no limits.
Perry Heather | Columbus, OH
The truth matters and we owe it to not only the groups of people who have been oppressed for the entirety of US history, but also to the future of our country to teach them our failures so that they can build a better future for our country. This is not about guilt and shame, this is about justice and reconciliation for everyone. Reconciliation can only happen when the facts are given and dealt with. We owe it to our country to acknowledge our history and work to not repeat it.
Nancy Santucci | Austin, TX
truth matters and history should not and cannot repeat.
Dawn Pratson | Philadelphia, PA
I think that we cannot budge the intractable, systemic condition of racism without telling the truth.
Kristine Saja | Severna Park, MD
We need to be honest. Our students deserve to be taught the truth. ~ Satayagraha <3
Kate Dubinski | Milwaukee, WI
It is important to be inclusive as we teach the truth from multiple perspectives.
Selected Pledges
Click on pledge below to read many more.
As an educator who is serious about teaching the truth I will not be bullied into silence. I will do my part in the fight for equity and equality by making sure my students are most equipped to fight this ugliness in the real world.
Yes, the truth of American history needs to be taught, but also its impact on the rest of the world, such as its role in WWII. I just finished teaching a college-level course on the Holocaust, and could not believe how little the students knew about the rest of the world’s participation in the war! They seemed to believe that WWII was ended by the US alone!
“When you begin to do things that raise the achievement of the poorest and disenfranchised students, you may not always get applause. You need to be ready for that.” Dr. Asa Hilliard
“Resistance is a powerful motivator precisely because it enables us to fulfill our longing to achieve our goals while letting us boldly recognize and name the obstacles to those achievements.”
Dr. Derrick Bell
Our young people deserve the truth and it is our kuleana (responsibility) to give space and opportunity for the truth and the difficult conversations.
If we don’t teach it all, we teach nothing…
Social justice is a major theme of my Humanities 7 course, and my school uses Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s HILL framework (development of identity, skills, knowledge, Criticality) to frame our entire curriculum. Student agency through research work and essay writing, and action-oriented civic engagement work, define what we “cover” in my course.