Pledge to Teach the Truth is a commitment by educators to teach complex, diverse, and accurate historical narratives about the United States. It's also a Day of Action, a national solidarity event to raise awareness about the dangers of lying to students about the existence and persistence of structural and systemic racism, and all forms of oppression.

What is the urgency?

• Lawmakers in at least 15 states, including West Virginia, are advocating for a ban on teaching the truth about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history.

• Ignoring the truth about our country's history maintains today’s systems of oppression, rather than help us create a more just and equitable world.

• Being able to name, identify, and understand structures and systems of oppression threatens the status quo. When we know about injustice, we can mobilize and organize against it.

• Educators are fighting back by signing a Pledge to Teach the Truth, and gathering at historic sites on Saturday, June 12 to raise public awareness about the danger of these bills.

• This is a national call being made by the Zinn Education Project (coordinated by Rethinking Schools and Teaching for Change) and Black Lives Matter at School. Although bills and budget resolutions are being proposed in specific states, the chilling effect on teaching truth is a threat everywhere.