USA Today Asks If 'Math Is Racist,' Twitter Takes Them Down
Headline goes viral for all the wrong reasons
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USA Today has questioned whether math was racist in a recent headline that caused a massive backlash on Twitter.
The headline read:
"Is math racist? As many students of color struggle with the subject, schools are altering instruction — sometimes amid intense debate."
The article focuses on "bolder recommendations to make math more inclusive" that "are blowing up the world of mathematics education."
But after the article began to go viral, the title was changed to "Is math education racist? Debate rages over changes to how US teaches the subject."
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The outlet faced criticism for the article's substance and for changing the title.
"Math isn't racist... but the ‘educators’ who think it needs to be changed and made easier because some black kids struggle with it... ARE," Washington Times columnist Tim Young tweeted.
Portland State University professor Peter Boghossian wrote:
"No, math is not racist. Major venues like @USATODAY even asking this question is a sign of cultural sickness.
"Racial disparities can be addressed (in part) by using the best evidence-based pedagogical practices that enable student learning.
"Please stop suggesting math is racist."
"The left has become so racist they accuse everyone, and everything of being racist, including….math," political commentator Kim Iversen said.
Math isn't racist... but the "educators" who think it needs to be changed and made easier because some black kids struggle with it... ARE.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) December 8, 2021
Some liberals also blasted the outlet.
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MSNBC contributor Brittany Packnett Cunningham tweeted a lengthy thread including:
"@USAtoday is wack for writing a headline like ‘is math racist?’ for clicks knowing they’re talking about math *instruction.* And @twitter is wack for just taking it-and lots of clickbait-at face value knowing their power. Mainstream & social media have a responsibility."
No, math is not racist. Major venues like @USATODAY even asking this question is a sign of cultural sickness.
— Peter Boghossian (@peterboghossian) December 8, 2021
Racial disparities can be addressed (in part) by using the best evidence-based pedagogical practices that enable student learning. Please stop suggesting math is racist pic.twitter.com/aZHAC9L0rR
Is this a joke? pic.twitter.com/02DH4I4MrV
— Daniel Lacalle (@dlacalle_IA) December 8, 2021
In 2019 Neon Nettle reported that Seattle Public Schools introduced a proposal to begin teaching kids "woke" math because regular math is "racist."
Earlier this year, we also reported that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was bankrolling a liberal educational group that has made the bizzare claims that math is racist.
A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction, a conglomerate of 25 educational organizations, claims that asking students to find a correct answer is an “inherently racist practice."
According to the organization’s website, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is its sole donor
