Signatures
This is the list of people who have signed the pledge or petition to date.
Susan Eaton | Auburndale, MA
So much of what has been taught about the Civil War has been inaccurate, often glorifying or misstating the causes of the Confederacy. Reconstruction was a time in our history that held such potential for actually realizing true equality within a pluralistic society. Those hopes were dashed as racism reared its head in great force and when our leaders capitulated to powerful forces and existing power arrangements rather than centering justice and restitution and imagining something better.
Rae Richards | Tucson, AZ
Understanding how Reconstruction efforts were/continue to be thwarted by our government is crucial in understanding current systems that uphold racism. Our approach to teaching history must include the victories of Reconstruction as well as the reasons why progress must still be made.
Adela Arriaga | San Francisco, CA
We have to stop pretending that slavery ended and everyone became equal. We need to face the reality of the struggles and successes that followed, as well as ways that we continue to struggle. We need to know our own history if we're going to understand why things are the way they are. Let's start today.
Sean Munger | Portland, OR
Reconstruction was a crucially formative period in our nation's history and many of our current problems and conditions stem from it. Not to teach it, to gloss over it or to teach it incorrectly is professional malpractice by a teacher. I am proud to state that I teach it in my curriculum, and that I always will.
Matthew Plies | Portland, OR
So many elements that we struggle with today are connected to Reconstruction--both its successes and failures.
Spencer Dahlman | San Diego, CA
This part of teaching civil war history often gets skipped over but it’s a really important period in time when the US experimented with what democracy and unity looks like. Ultimately, entrenched racism and southern resentment got in the way of progress. It’s important to teach kiddos how anti-racism will allow our country to work TOGETHER instead of agains each other in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, and ensure domestic tranquility.
Andrew Aguiñiga | Seaside, CA
Lee Bell | New Paltz, NY
Without a full understanding of our history and the struggle to realize multiracial democracy we will not be equipped to effectively address the challenges of this moment. More than ever a factual and accurate accounting of this history is necessary for our children to know and understand.
Taiyo Ebato | New York, NY
Kathlyn Robinson | Portland, OR
Jay Gillen | Baltimore, MD
James Haynes | Austin, TX
The white violence perpetuated following the end of reconstruction continues to play out in structures and individual law enforcement to this day. THerefore it is paramount we teach students that there is another way, through the study of this pivotal period in American history.
Theresa Austin | Springfield, MA
Jamee Schleifer | Brooklyn, NY
The more we learn, the more we learn.
Darlise Kearney | Pittsburgh, PA
This information should be added to the school curriculum because it will shed light on the truth about America.
Diana Aviles | Baton Rouge, LA
For all the reasons already stated! We have been denied of our natural history and it’s time everyone understands it!
Pam Musho | Newport, RI
Ritu Radhakrishnan | Oswego, NY
Anthony Pagan | Union City, CA
Kathy Vogel | Grand Rapids, MI
tina de la fe | Lansing, MI
We are on the verge of another great missed opportunity. We must learn about empowering and repairing, vs marginalizing and oppressing!
Anna Owens | Cincinnati, OH
There is a reason that this history is actively suppressed and under taught. The only way to freedom is through understanding each tool of oppression that is used to sustain White Supremacy.
Nikki Marchmon-Boykin | Kent, OH
Teaching the Reconstruction Era will give students a full and true perspective on what happened in the country, particularly to African Americans, after the Civil War. In addition, this discussion gives teachers the ability to connect history to current events/modern occurrences such as mass incarceration and police brutality.
LaChardra McBride | Humble, TX
Jordan Gerdes | Redmond , OR
The myths of lost cause and states rights do nothing for our students but bolster white supremacist ideals beneath the surface for future generations. In order to resist, it’s important to deconstruct mythology and teach truth.
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