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"Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country." David Hilbert
Years ago, when I put this quote on the wall of my classroom, I never imagined it might one day be challenged. However, wokeness has even infected mathematics, with some people claiming that insisting facts such as 2 + 2 = 4 is a sign of white supremacy: "Math proficiency is white supremacy," proclaims Deborah Lowenberg Ball, a mathematics professor and former dean of the University of Michigan School of Education.
In the latest episode of the EdFix Podcast, Ball complains that math is a “harbor for whiteness” and “the very nature of the knowledge and who’s produced it, and what has counted as mathematics is itself dominated by whiteness and racism.”
I can't think of a better way to make sure minority children are disadvantaged than to deny them a good education.
Discussion (32)
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The number of times that we tell black children they are inferior because whites dominate any field is infuriating. It's the most racist of comments I can imagine.
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Math is so much worse than Whiteness and Racism.
Math posits AND demonstrates the existence of absolute truth. And it really is the only discipline that actually succeeds in that. Science, engineering, the arts all have enough relativity to demonstrate lack of clarity, or there’s more than one way to skin a cat, or that subjectivity reigns supreme.
Math, though, always has a right answer, whether you know how to find it or not, whether you like it or not.
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The "math is white" idea is bizarre! Counting is universal across all cultures. Algebra was invented by a Persian. The important concept and symbology for zero was created in Mesopotamia and independently by the Mayans long before being adopted by "white" peoples. The decimal system was invented in north Africa. People seem to confuse the race of people that write books in English with the origins of ideas.
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I took a look at the Wikipedia page for Deborah Lowenberg Ball. As far as I can tell, she has no degree in mathematics. She has a B.A. degree in French and a Ph.D. in Education. She taught in elementary schools for 17 years before returning to school. A quick look at her CV shows an M.A. in "Teacher Education." She is a Professor of Education, not Mathematics.
Looks like most of her research is in mathematics education, which is not mathematics.
The statements attributed to her in the OP are exactly what one would expect from a person with her background. A product of "Education Schools" turned SJW with a specialty in destroying STEM.
CONTRIBUTOR
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I really believe that is the point to most DEI stuff. To deny minority children a good education.
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