This society, like every other society on earth, suffers deeply from racism. It
prevents us from creating a better life for all of us, including the already
privileged. It is a real impediment to human progress. (Editorial part.)
There is no question that just the mention of race provokes emotion in
(practically) all of us. That emotion may be anger over racism, racist feelings
themselves, or concern about the reactions of others. Because this subject is so
emotionally charged, even for a person who is relatively free from racism
itself, it will cause an emotional reaction in practically any member of our
society.
Further, we need to remember that most of our students haven't had the many
years of reflection about this and other issues from which we, educators,
benefit. Thus they are even more likely than us to be distracted by any
statement about race.
The purpose of a mathematics exam is to test mathematics. Mathematics educators
need to provide the appropriate environment to accomplish this. Therefore,
questions which are very likely to present strong, negative, outside influences
should be avoided whenever possible.
Conclusion: The question presented should be rephrased, as already suggested on
this list, to deal with a more neutral topic.
Reflections
Our society will be better off when such a question does not provide a
distracting setting to those taking the test.
Mathematics does not have to be taught in a vacuum, and the issue of racism is
among the most serious in our society. The question, as posted, would be an
outstanding one for a classroom situation, where a (courageous) teacher could
discuss, or lead a discussion about, the sociological implications of the data
which produced the problem. It is an outstanding one for the situation in which
a teacher wants to get students to write about or discuss mathematics.
Philip Mahler
Middlesex CC
Bedford, Massachusetts