On Tuesday, the leader of the nation\u2019s other major teachers union joined the fray. American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten said critical race theory is not taught in schools, but pledged to back any teachers who address topics the laws seek to exclude from classroom conversations.<\/p>\n
\u201cMark my words: Our union will defend any member who gets in trouble for teaching honest history. We have a legal defense fund ready to go,\u201d she said at the opening of the union\u2019s annual professional development conference. She added that \u201cculture warriors want to deprive students of a robust understanding of our common history.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear whether the NEA is encouraging members in states that have already passed anti-critical race theory legislation to violate the law. At the very least, it is arguing that teachers shouldn\u2019t gloss over \u201cunpleasant aspects of American history\u201d according to the union’s adopted statement.<\/p>\n The theory \u2014 bitterly dividing communities across the country \u2014 teaches that racism is an integral part of U.S. systems and institutions that purposely disadvantage people of color. The unions\u2019 stance comes as nine states have already banned instruction that references structural racism, white supremacy and other key principles of the theory. More than 20 other states have considered similar bills.<\/p>\n The union was \u201cforced to some extent\u201d to enter the fray because of how volatile the debate has become, said Bradley Marianno, an assistant education professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.the74million.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-06-at-10.25.52-AM.png\")