Durham University’s department of mathematical sciences has recently published a policy statement on ‘decolonising’ its curriculum. Wokeness, it seems, has finally come for maths.

The department says that, from now on, it will pay attention to ‘the cultural origins of the mathematical concepts, focuses and notations we most commonly use’. It urges staff not to cite work from ‘almost entirely white and / or male’ mathematicians. It also gives advice on how to celebrate Black History Month in the maths classroom, and suggests fractal geometry should be taught more from the perspective of African art rather than Western rationalism.

‘The question of whether we have allowed Western mathematicians to dominate in our discipline’, the document continues, ‘is no less relevant than whether we have allowed Western authors to dominate the field of literature. It may even be more important.’

Source - Spiked

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