Gonzalez graduated with an M.S.E. degree at Michigan State University. She minored in history education. When she first got her bachelor's degree, she had looked for jobs but could only find substitute teaching ones. With an M.S.E. degree, her opportunities for employment opened up. Sure enough, a teaching district in ruralTexas called and asked her if she wanted to interview for a job at a school, teaching high school history. Although she had to pay her own way to Texas, she jumped at the chance. Marta was Black and a little nervous about teaching in a Southern state, but wanted to get her career started.
She drove to Texas in her rickety-old Honda Civic. I'll get a new car after I've put away enough of my salary, she thought. The interview went well, Marta only hesitating in the answer to one question. "What's your position on critical race theory," the panelist asked.
Marta had studied critical race theory at MSU and knew the subject, but she didn't think it had any relevance to high school. She told the panelist that and the interview proceeded. As she drove back to Michigan, she wondered if the question would come back to haunt her. However, two days later, the school district called with an offer to start when school commenced in September.

Marta said goodbye to her parents, who were also worried about how she was going to survive in Texas. She assured them that everything would be fine. No one would challenge her knowledge of history.
When she arrived back in Texas, she was given the textbook the school wanted her to use. The book was titled "The History of Texas". Marta put the book down and scratched her head. This won't be easy, she thought.

Marta arrived at her class minutes before the start of school. There were five students in the room, one of whom was a young Black boy. Marta went over to talk to him. He said his name was Curtis and was looking forward to her class. Marta went back to the rostrum as the rest of the class filed in. There were no other Black children. When the bell rang, signaling the start of class, Marta cleared her throat.

"I am going to dispense with any discussion from your textbook. Instead, I will talk about slavery - what it was like for my ancestors. They endured savage beatings, lynchings and centuries of deprivation. "
When Marta was finished, she caught a glimpse of Curtis. He was crying.
The next day, Marta was called into the principal's office.
"You have been accused ", the principal said, "of violating Texas law by making comments that create anguish or shame. You also discussed critical race theory which you told us you wouldn't do. What do you say?"
Marta looked the principal in the eyes.
"I did not intend to cause shame or anguish. I merely tried to tell the truth. If these kids felt shame or anguish, it was nothing like the anguish felt by my ancestors as they endured years and years of brutality. If you want me to resign, I will, but I won't stop telling the truth. "
"I believe you", the principal said. "You may continue to teach, I will stand behind you."
"Thank you."