Don’t Look Now, But Math Is “Inherently Violent” Towards Blacks

Percival Matthews, an Associate Dean at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently offered up the dusty and moss-covered excuse that math as a subject is racist and systemically favors whites.

Mathews seems to want black students to feel defeated as they navigate their educational journey, as ignorant and unfounded accusations like this only lead to that outcome. This creates a built-in fail-safe that diminishes their motivation to compete and learn.

Matthews argued that mathematics can be seen as racist because not enough black students qualify for advanced math courses

Regardless of racial background, this is a common trait among all human beings. Comments like these can cause individuals to either not try as hard or to give up entirely if they believe that everything is stacked against them. In the context of mathematics, this notion is absolute nonsense.

I sincerely hope that at some point in time, blacks with a platform will stop insulting the black race with proclamations like this. I also hope that they anger black students who hear comments like this and speak out against the morons who utter them.

Mathews, who is a foaming-at-the-mouth type of Trump hater, doesn’t seem to be able to separate that hatred from the moot point he is trying to make about mathematics.

In a paper co-authored with another leftist, Pooja Sidney, an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky, Matthews argued that mathematics can be seen as racist because not enough black students qualify for advanced math courses.

Let that sink in.

It isn’t because their family life may not be conducive to studying mathematics or studying in general, or that the student isn’t particularly interested in math. No – in Mathew’s mind, it has to be systemic racism.

“This exclusionary narrative continues into the higher grades, with black children routinely being shut out of advanced mathematics courses despite meeting achievement standards. In stark contrast, more privileged White children are sometimes tracked into advanced courses despite failing to meet those standards.”

“How can a black scholar work to improve a system through rigorous empirical research when that system is arguably inherently violent toward black children, even the ones who excel at all the tests?”

The only thing that message conveys is division and hatred

Those statements are blatantly false. In this era of DEI, where the only people who are discriminated against are white, Mathews is doing nothing but lowering the floor for black students.

To this point, the University is supporting Matthews’ stupidity.

John Lucas, the assistant vice chancellor for public affairs and institutional communications at UW–Madison, told Fox News.

“UW-Madison supports free expression and doesn’t comment on the personal social media accounts of its students, faculty, or staff.”

In defense of Pooja Sidney, the University of Kentucky’s Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications said.

“The university wouldn’t have any comment on a faculty member’s scholarly work, which is protected by academic freedom and does not represent any university stance.”

Scholarly work?

There is nothing scholarly about openly race-baiting and indoctrinating black students with the idea that everything is against them and systemic white oppression is the reason.

The only thing that message conveys is division and hatred; it certainly doesn’t enhance a student’s desire to learn or excel at math.

Here’s a thought. Perhaps people like Mathews and Sidney should focus on teaching foundational values, such as sound study techniques, rather than creating boogeymen. They should encourage all students that, individually, nothing can stop them if they put their minds to it.

One plus one still equals two; however, these are the educators who can’t admit that men are men and women are women. So, getting them to stop finger-pointing may be too much to ask. If that ends up being the case, their prejudices are indoctrinated into those they teach, and whether they can see it or not, THEY are the problem, not systemic racism.

Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.