Topic: Is mathematics still relevant in an age of Black Lives Matter?
Oatmeal Fucker !BYUc1TwJMU started this discussion 1 week ago#125,887
The intersection of social justice and academic disciplines has become a fertile ground for debate in recent years. One question, seemingly absurd at first glance, has quietly emerged in certain circles: is mathematics still relevant in an age dominated by sociopolitical movements such as Black Lives Matter?
While the question might seem hyperbolic, it invites a deeper examination of mathematics’ role in a world increasingly shaped by calls for equity, accountability, and systemic change.
Mathematics, as a field of study, has always been predicated on the pursuit of universal truths. Numbers, equations, and proofs transcend borders, cultures, and ideologies. From ancient Mesopotamian scribes to modern-day data scientists, mathematics has provided a framework for understanding and solving real-world problems. Its applicability in engineering, medicine, economics, and countless other domains underscores its foundational importance to society.
Yet, this universality has often masked the ways in which access to mathematical education and its benefits have been unequally distributed. Throughout history, marginalized communities have faced systemic barriers to full participation in the mathematical sciences, raising the question of whether mathematics has truly been a neutral and equitable field.
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought systemic inequities to the forefront of public consciousness. While primarily concerned with issues such as police brutality and racial discrimination, the movement has broader implications for how societies allocate resources and opportunities. Education, including mathematics education, is no exception.
Advocates within the BLM movement and allied causes have highlighted the racial disparities in STEM fields, including mathematics. According to a 2022 report by the National Science Foundation, Black Americans make up just 9% of the STEM workforce, despite comprising 14% of the U.S. population. This underrepresentation is rooted in historical inequities, such as segregated schools, underfunded educational institutions, and implicit biases that discourage students of color from pursuing advanced mathematics.
In an age where social justice movements dominate public discourse, mathematics must adapt to remain relevant. This does not mean abandoning rigor or objectivity; rather, it requires an examination of how mathematics can contribute to a more just society.
Ensuring that all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, have access to quality mathematics education is essential. Initiatives such as universal pre-K, targeted funding for underperforming schools, and mentorship programs for underrepresented minorities in STEM are critical. Mathematics has long been used to uncover and address societal inequities. For example, statistical analyses of police stop-and-frisk data have revealed racial profiling practices, while economic modeling has highlighted the racial wealth gap.
By equipping activists with mathematical tools, the discipline can directly contribute to the goals of movements like BLM. Some educators argue that traditional mathematics curricula prioritize Eurocentric perspectives and fail to acknowledge contributions from non-Western cultures. Incorporating a more diverse historical narrative into the teaching of mathematics can help students from all backgrounds see themselves as part of the mathematical legacy.
Ultimately, the question of mathematics’ relevance in the age of Black Lives Matter is not about mathematics itself but about how society chooses to engage with it. Mathematics remains as vital as ever, providing the language for technological innovation, scientific discovery, and societal progress.
However, its true potential will only be realized when its benefits are accessible to all. In this sense, the age of Black Lives Matter is not a challenge to mathematics but an opportunity.
It is a call to ensure that the discipline lives up to its promise of universality and inclusivity. Mathematics, far from being a neutral bystander, has a role to play in shaping a fairer and more equitable world. The challenge lies in ensuring that this role is fulfilled.
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 1 week ago, 8 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#1,363,641
@OP
My professors loved it when I would interrupt the lecture to interject that brown people invented so and so mathematical theory or wrote such and such proof hundreds or thousands of years before europe rediscovered it. I would do it ceaselessly and it seemed to improve my grades.
Anonymous F double-posted this 1 week ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#1,363,663
Tbh in my experience most… (possibly all), of the math majors I’ve met so far have been white. Although, most of the students studying computer science aren’t white, they’re almost all Chinese or Indian, and then there’s maybe me and one other black guy. I could be wrong, but I think for some reason minorities want to work in tech instead of being math teachers.
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 1 week ago, 8 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#1,363,747
> Is mathematics still relevant in an age of Black Lives Matter?
Only so much as it contributes to the continuation or advancement of the spic-nig cycle
Anonymous D replied with this 1 week ago, 4 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#1,363,763
@1,363,684 (G)
I'm saying "black lives matter" - the concept - doesn't matter. It will be a small blip in history, long forgotten in probably less than 100 years, whereas mathematics will live on forever.