Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

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Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by cronus » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:05 pm

https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10005

Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Gutierrez worries that algebra and geometry perpetuate privilege because "emphasizing terms like Pythagorean theorem and pi" give the impression that math "was largely developed by Greeks and other Europeans."

She also worries that evaluations of math skills can perpetuate discrimination against minorities, especially if they do worse than their white counterparts.

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Svartalf » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:12 pm

balderdash, mathematical intelligence is not a specifically white talent.

the fact that our history retains European mathematicians does not change the fact that algebra is an arabic development, that our numeration system with the 0 is Indian in origin etc etc and those facts are widely known, if maybe not emphasized i math teaching.
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Rum » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:29 pm

I read recently (can't remember where so I can't post a link) that there is evidence that pythagorean theorem/calculations were in use at a practical level in Mesopotamia = well before Greek 'high' culture.

Thus promoting brownish privilege?

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by cronus » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:34 pm

Rum wrote:I read recently (can't remember where so I can't post a link) that there is evidence that pythagorean theorem/calculations were in use at a practical level in Mesopotamia = well before Greek 'high' culture.

Thus promoting brownish privilege?
Apparently it was true even earlier, possibly before human beings existed even....
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Svartalf » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:39 pm

Rum wrote:I read recently (can't remember where so I can't post a link) that there is evidence that pythagorean theorem/calculations were in use at a practical level in Mesopotamia = well before Greek 'high' culture.

Thus promoting brownish privilege?
It was about a 'recently studied' Mesopotamian tablet of stuff relating to such matters
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Brian Peacock » Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:54 pm

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Sean Hayden » Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:14 pm

Math is awesome, I don't care who's responsible --well okay, their stories might be okay-- I just wish I knew more of it, and the reason it's respected is because how much work it can do. --duh

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by JimC » Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:18 pm

I hope 42 doesn't read this thread.

It'll be another "end of civilisation as we know it" moment!

:hehe:
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by rainbow » Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:25 am

Crumple wrote:
Gutierrez worries that algebra and geometry perpetuate privilege because "emphasizing terms like Pythagorean theorem and pi" give the impression that math "was largely developed by Greeks and other Europeans."
Drivel. Maths was invented by Africans with a little help from our Indian cousins.

The Greeks stole it from us.
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by JimC » Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:49 am

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Clinton Huxley » Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:23 am

As long as it's called maths and not math, i don't mind.

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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by JimC » Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:36 am

Hear hear...
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by Forty Two » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:30 pm

JimC wrote:I hope 42 doesn't read this thread.

It'll be another "end of civilisation as we know it" moment!

:hehe:
It's never an "end of civilization as we know it" from me. It's just another two-headed snake. The hilarity of it all is that this writer actually believes the assertions here, and so does a nice chunk of the political, progressive left - the social justice variety.

"On many levels, mathematics itself operates as Whiteness. Who gets credit for doing and developing mathematics, who is capable in mathematics, and who is seen as part of the mathematical community is generally viewed as White," Gutierrez argued.
Gutierrez also worries that algebra and geometry perpetuate privilege, fretting that "curricula emphasizing terms like Pythagorean theorem and pi perpetuate a perception that mathematics was largely developed by Greeks and other Europeans."

Errr... "who is capable in mathematics?" The stereotype is that east Asians are the math whizzes. The "white" community in the west, at least in the US, is generally viewed as deficient in mathematics proficiency. If you go to engineering and science colleges, the professors tend to be Asian - lots of Indians, people formerly known as oriental, and that kind of thing. It's no the white students....

And where is she getting the idea that there is a "perception" that mathematics was largely developed by the Greeks? Oh, wait, is that because mathematics, as a defined discipline, WAS largely developed by the ancient Greeks? Before them, there were the Egyptians, and the Babylonians. But, there are precious few texts from before the Greeks to hang one's hat one. After the Greeks, we've got the Hindus, Arabs and Chinese, and their contributions are recognized. What the fuck is this idiot on about?
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by JimC » Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:16 pm

Yes, definitely an idiot, but from the academic fringes that will never have any real effect and should simply be ignored...
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Re: Prof: Algebra, geometry perpetuate white privilege

Post by mistermack » Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:34 pm

rainbow wrote:
Crumple wrote:
Gutierrez worries that algebra and geometry perpetuate privilege because "emphasizing terms like Pythagorean theorem and pi" give the impression that math "was largely developed by Greeks and other Europeans."
Drivel. Maths was invented by Africans with a little help from our Indian cousins.

The Greeks stole it from us.
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