Mathematics As A Tool Of Oppression
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Holiday Inn Portland, Lovejoy Room, Lower level
Recent politicization of mathematics has driven questions about its pedagogy in our schools, but these questions fail to recognize mathematics as a potentially oppressive tool. Mathematics is our single most powerful academic building block, but the power it holds frequently allows it to inhibit discovery and societal good. My initial focus into this topic was focused on the United States. Seemingly infinite contributing factors soon led me to study math's use in ancient western civilization, the Roman Inquisition, colonization of the New World and eventually to today's society. I build on this research as well as global input from the honor of presenting at "Mathematics, Education & Society" in São Paulo, Brazil. I will share about math's tremendous, often subtle, power that is more often used to stifle than it is to inspire. My dream is to see math fully and mutually used as a tool not to subvert but instead for liberation. We will all emerge from this session having learned more!
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Holiday Inn Portland, Lovejoy Room, Lower level
Session
Engagement, Belonging
9-12
Scroll down to view handouts.
Presented by
Teacher
Salem Keizer School District
Jered Ratliff is a 16th-year high school mathematics teacher, and is an alternative education teacher at Roberts High School in Salem Keizer Public Schools. He recently presented "Mathematics as a tool of oppression in the United States" at the Mathematics, Education, and Society conference in São Paulo, Brazil. He is also a licensed tax preparer, high school sports official, and is involved with Oregon's Math Alignment Project. He is interested in exploring intersectionality of social justice and global power dynamics created by math systems. He is married with three children, two stepchildren and loves Oregon's diverse outdoor opportunities.
Handouts
,
Holiday Inn Portland, Lovejoy Room, Lower level
Session
Engagement, Belonging
9-12
Scroll down to view handouts.