Seattle Schools Teaching Math Is Racist

[Uiiop]

So... please do pardon me if I get something wrong, but from what I can see and read so far?

They seem to be talking about the field of Mathematics, not Mathematics itself, right?

If that is the case, of course the history of Math will be marred with racism... if they really want to stretch it that far. But unsurprisingly, the flaw does not lie in Maths... it lies in history/racism itself that carries over the centuries of human history.

If they want Maths to be stop being racist, just start with settling and solving racial issues, instead of bringing maths into this.

-----

... Hopefully I read it right.

Given the world's track record regrading settling and solving you kinda do need to get specific and bring up shit racism brings up to do it properly.

[Thermodolia]

Not really. They are claiming that math is racist by itself. Not that racist people have misused math to further their racist goals but that math is inherently racist.

Not according to the link that wasn't from the Seattle Times.

That’s the only link I read. And they definitely, or at least some of the people the times where talking to definitely did

[Valentine Z]

Also:

Can we just please go back to Mathematics itself, instead of trying to mix and mash politics into Calculus? They are both differentiated and that you can't integrate the two.

[Kubra]

In any case the point I'm trying to make is that while I'm actually not that down with the proposed execution, it's the spirit that counts: folks do best in education when they give a shit about the subject matter in more direct ways than grades. For lack of a better metaphor, it's throwing shit on a wall and seeing what sticks. If it turns out kids respond better if taught math in this fashion, then hey all is well. If not, keep throwing shit, y'know?

I’ll agree with this. The execution could be better but if they truly trying to get math numbers up using real world experiences than I don’t see a harm in trying it out. They could probably drop the whole “racism in math” bit to sell it a bit more.

Alright, hey, glad we could see eye to eye.
And hey let me be real, I dunno how well it's gonna go. Y'know, us adults care about that sort of shit much more than grade schoolers. It's chicken or the egg: are they getting em more excited for math, or more excited for racial history? History is drudgery for *plenty* of grade schoolers, and if it's already drudgery for em throwing it into math ain't gonna help one iota. Personally, I prefer pedagogical proposals that put fun front and center.

[Neko-koku]

As usual black problems are inherently likely to be
intractable and have a tendency to metastatize.

[Kubra]

Also:

Can we just please go back to Mathematics itself, instead of trying to mix and mash politics into Calculus? They are both differentiated and that you can't integrate the two.

One source gave the example of having kids try to gerrymander as effectively as possible.
Don't tell me you wouldn't find that fun, even if you drop the gerrymandering aspect. It's like, you ever been in a computer science class? Practically no assignment is done truly alone, you compare your work with others and see how they arrived at a program with the same function and see how they did things better. That shit's great, comp sci was my best grade. You could definitely do that with a gerrymandering assignment.

[Galloism]

Seems pretty benign.

Yeah, it's kind of dumb, but it could honestly be way worse and I don't think it'll cause any harm.

Eh, if it gets kids to pay attention as they indicate, it’s not dumb.

I once got a group of kids an A on their next algebra 1 test by showing them how they could use it to save money on bulk purchasing decisions.

Ok, I was a weird teacher.

[Uiiop]

Not according to the link that wasn't from the Seattle Times.

That’s the only link I read. And they definitely, or at least some of the people the times where talking to definitely did

The only two people they talked to explicitly said it wasn't or said that math was manipulated to that end.
Only people who were offended and paranoid about the concept talked about it in those terms.

[Kubra]

Yeah, it's kind of dumb, but it could honestly be way worse and I don't think it'll cause any harm.

Eh, if it gets kids to pay attention as they indicate, it’s not dumb.

I once got a group of kids an A on their next algebra 1 test by showing them how they could use it to save money on bulk purchasing decisions.

Ok, I was a weird teacher.

See this is the teacher that folks are lucky to have
you keep doing you, man. You doing your kids good.

[LiberNovusAmericae]

Politics should have no place in math classes.

[Valentine Z]

Also:

Can we just please go back to Mathematics itself, instead of trying to mix and mash politics into Calculus? They are both differentiated and that you can't integrate the two.

One source gave the example of having kids try to gerrymander as effectively as possible.
Don't tell me you wouldn't find that fun, even if you drop the gerrymandering aspect. It's like, you ever been in a computer science class? Practically no assignment is done truly alone, you compare your work with others and see how they arrived at a program with the same function and see how they did things better. That shit's great, comp sci was my best grade. You could definitely do that with a gerrymandering assignment.

I am doing Computer Science as well, like in Uni right now. ^^ It's okay, but kinda suffering because of the sheer workload, but this is for another time or for TET.

(Also seems like my attempt at puns were lost in seriousness. Welp.)

[Kubra]

One source gave the example of having kids try to gerrymander as effectively as possible.
Don't tell me you wouldn't find that fun, even if you drop the gerrymandering aspect. It's like, you ever been in a computer science class? Practically no assignment is done truly alone, you compare your work with others and see how they arrived at a program with the same function and see how they did things better. That shit's great, comp sci was my best grade. You could definitely do that with a gerrymandering assignment.

I am doing Computer Science as well. ^^

(Also seems like my attempt at puns were lost in seriousness. Welp.)

aaaaaaaaaaa woosh
sry man got into a mood there y'know

[Valentine Z]

I am doing Computer Science as well. ^^

(Also seems like my attempt at puns were lost in seriousness. Welp.)

aaaaaaaaaaa woosh
sry man got into a mood there y'know

Ehh, it happens. No worries, haha!

But you do bring up good points, so thanks for that as well. ^^

[Arumdaum]

Sounds like right wing clickbait sensationalism to me, as the actual program is pretty benign.

For a history class on math yes but not for a math class. You don’t need to learn about how the Aztecs did math when that won’t help you later in life.

Learning about other number base systems is useful. It expands people's horizons on what math can be and how we perceive it, and explains to us why we perceive math the way it is. What if math was base 12? And helps with things like binary and other number base systems for coding.

[Galloism]

Eh, if it gets kids to pay attention as they indicate, it’s not dumb.

I once got a group of kids an A on their next algebra 1 test by showing them how they could use it to save money on bulk purchasing decisions.

Ok, I was a weird teacher.

See this is the teacher that folks are lucky to have
you keep doing you, man. You doing your kids good.

I might have also done bit on wind resistance calculations with a theoretical example of building a machine that could shoot a deer as long as it knew where it was, and what calculations would be needed to accomplish this.

[Sovaal]

https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/socialstudies/pubdocs/Math%20SDS%20ES%20Framework.pdf

Origins, Identity, and Agency
Definition of theme: Origins, Identity and Agency, as defined by ethnic studies, is the ways in which we ​view ourselves as mathematicians ​ and members of broader mathematical communities. Mathematical theory and application is​ rooted in the ancient histories of people and empires of color ​ . All human endeavors include mathematical thinking; from humanities to the arts to the sciences.

So essentially teaching the history of math. Seems innocent enough.

Power and Oppression
Definition of theme: Power and oppression, as defined by ethnic studies, are the ways in which individuals and groups define mathematical knowledge so as to see “Western” mathematics as the only legitimate expression of mathematical identity and intelligence. This definition of ​legitimacy is then used to disenfranchise ​ people and communities of color. This ​erases the historical contributions ​ of people and communities of color.

I'd like to know what they mean by this. Do they mean it as in the idea that mathematics are purely western in origin, or the use of mathematics by western (European) civilization , or that there is/are (accurate) versions of mathematics that very from region to region? If it's the latter, I don't think that's an accurate view of mathematics. However, the learning targets posted make me think its leaning more towards the middle one.

History of Resistance and Liberation
Definition of theme: The history of resistance and liberation, as defined by ethnic studies, is the stories, places, and people who helped liberate people and communities of color using math, engineering, and technology. ​Access to mathematical knowledge itself is an act of liberation

I have no idea what they mean by "liberation" and "resistance" regarding this passage, and the learning targets don't really clear it up for me. I guess it has to do with minority communities "reclaiming" mathematics or something.

Reflection and Action
Definition of theme: Student action, as defined by ethnic studies, is fostering a sense of advocacy, empowerment, and action in the students that creates internal motivation to engage in and contribute to their identities as mathematicians. Students will be confident in their ability to ​construct & decode mathematical knowledge, truth, and beauty ​ so they can ​contribute ​ to their experiences and the experiences of people in their community.

So essentially apply class concepts to the real world somehow.

Now it seems to go off the deep end in the "Essential Questions" section, but I figure that the "answers" for those questions would be further elaborated on by the education board. However, short of these explanations this outline seems to be getting awfully close to the edge of ridiculousness, and it seems they aren't making that much of distinction between the mathematics itself and the social/academic frameworks that mathematics has been used in.

[Kubra]

See this is the teacher that folks are lucky to have
you keep doing you, man. You doing your kids good.

I might have also done bit on wind resistance calculations with a theoretical example of building a machine that could shoot a deer as long as it knew where it was, and what calculations would be needed to accomplish this.

Let me tell ya man I had a teacher like that in middle school
First day of school was like the damn lottery, because everyone was hoping they'd get the guy teaching their science class.

[Kubra]

I have no idea what they mean by "liberation" and "resistance" regarding this passage, and the learning targets don't really clear it up for me. I guess it has to do with minority communities "reclaiming" mathematics or something.

think archimedes using trigonometry to get the romans to fuck off

[The Fascist Undead]

https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/new-course-outlines-prompt-conversations-about-identity-race-in-seattle-classrooms-even-in-math/
https://mynorthwest.com/1537267/dori-ma ... framework/
https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/fil ... Lp_mZ1mXb0

Schools in Seattle are now teaching that math is racist. A new framework has been laid out for the curriculum "Math Ethnic Studies." I just have two very important questions to ask: Is math racist? Are the answers to math problems connected to white supremacy?

Yes, Everything is racist Now.
And Racism has lost all meaning

[Unstoppable Empire of Doom]

They're trying to find a way to make kids more excited for mathematics. Pedagogy is a difficult process man, you gotta play around a bit to see what sticks.

Best post 2019

[Totenborg]

Not according to the link that wasn't from the Seattle Times.

That’s the only link I read. And they definitely, or at least some of the people the times where talking to definitely did

Check out the Edweek link. It's a bit less sensationalist.

[GLDF]

The idea isn't what you're trying to make it. It's not about math itself, it is how people wrongly use or stereotype it. But it should be in social studies and not other subjects. I don't think that K-9 classrooms need any kind of this in basic courses except for social studies,which falls flat or being meaningful right now. People aren't caring about history. If you can make it interesting and relevant, why not?

[Czechostan]

I'd like to know what they mean by this. Do they mean it as in the idea that mathematics are purely western in origin, or the use of mathematics by western (European) civilization , or that there is/are (accurate) versions of mathematics that very from region to region? If it's the latter, I don't think that's an accurate view of mathematics. However, the learning targets posted make me think its leaning more towards the middle one.

I am presuming they are referring to how indigenous/Eastern/non-Western mathematical knowledge systems have been supplanted by Western mathematics. I know it's not a Western idea, but I'm thinking here of Pythagoras' ideas like the harmony of the spheres and the genders of numbers. For Pythagoras, numbers had a mystical connection which ordered the universe, and this belief led him to produce mathematical theories we still use today, and I'm sure the same can be said for many non-Western mathematicians. Maybe their theories are wrong, but I don't think we can properly understand mathematics without understanding its path of development and how mathematics developed in other countries. All of the math classes I have taken treat mathematics like an immutable truth without delving into history or how mathematical notions have changed over time.

I have no idea what they mean by "liberation" and "resistance" regarding this passage, and the learning targets don't really clear it up for me. I guess it has to do with minority communities "reclaiming" mathematics or something.

I am presuming they find learning about different mathematical systems to be liberating for the same reasons African-Americans find re-orienting themselves toward traditional religion and spiritualism to be liberating--it's getting in touch with one's roots and learning to view the world through a lens other than the one you grew up looking through.

[Liriena]

Why am I not surprised that an OP who openly identifies as a "white nationalist" would be behind such a blatant act of racebaiting sensationalism to produce an outrage-milking narrative which is directly contradicted by the most reliable source on it?

Math ain't racist, but I can clearly see that reading comprehension and simple honesty are anti-racist exlusives.

[Bear Stearns]

13x = 52/100