Over 20 years ago, Bob Moses, a civil rights activist and educator, published “Radical Equations: Civil Rights from Mississippi to the Algebra Project.” In his book, Moses argued that teaching math properly was crucial for empowering marginalized communities. He noted that the lack of access and quality education in math was a form of systematic oppression, preventing Black children from reaching their full potential.
One of his notable and powerful statements was: ‘“Math literacy will be a liberation tool for people trying to get out of poverty and the best hope for people trying not to get left behind.” His statement encapsulates the essence of his beliefs and actions towards achieving freedom for everyone, including a responsibility to provide proficient education in general and teaching math in particular.
Moses emphasized the importance of education in achieving true freedom. He saw education as a tool for empowerment and a means of breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression.
But this Black man’s pronouncements didn’t spur enough action.
Fast forward to today. Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder, is on a crusade to prioritize math. His words are getting attention and investments. Yet, if Moses’s prescribed path had been acted on a generation ago, this could be a different environment in 2023. More Black and Brown children would be proficient in math, leading to more extensive engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). We wouldn’t have today’s predicament – studies show only 7% of all employed Blacks and 9% of Hispanics work in STEM occupations, starkly contrasting with Asians (16%) and Whites (32%).
The underrepresentation of Blacks and Hispanics in STEM fields perpetuates the existing racial disparities in the job market, limiting opportunities for people of color to obtain high-paying jobs in growth industries. It leads to a concentration of workers of color in low-skilled and low-paying jobs, fueling a cycle of economic disadvantage. In particular, the lack of diversity in STEM fields means valuable perspectives and ideas from underrepresented groups are not fully utilized, innovation is stifled, and economic progress is limited for their families. At the same time, industries lose the valuable perspectives that they could bring.
Today, just as Bob Moses did decades ago, Gates maintains that learning math is crucial for children to develop critical thinking skills. He argues that math teaches how to think logically and solve problems, essential skills in today’s rapidly changing world. Gates told USA Today that “math is the universal language” and that children must have a strong foundation in math to succeed in any field. Gates also noted that quality engineering, science, and technology jobs heavily rely on math skills.
Moreover, Gates asserts that math education is critical for closing the achievement gap between low-income and wealthier students.
His words echo the Bob Moses message.
Moses, too, believed that teaching math in a way that is relevant and meaningful to students’ lives would improve their academic performance and position them to challenge societal norms and advocate for change. He saw math as a tool for social justice, and through his work with the Algebra Project, he aimed to make math more accessible and inclusive for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Further, Moses, who passed in 2021, emphasized the importance of Black teachers in closing the racial achievement gap in math education. He believed that having teachers with a similar cultural background would create a more conducive learning environment for Black students, where they could see themselves represented and feel more motivated to excel in math.
Bob Moses recognized the transformative power of math education for Black children and dedicated his life to promoting educational equality. His legacy continues through organizations like the Algebra Project, which strives to make math education accessible and equitable for all students, regardless of their race or socioeconomic. Gates and Moses are similar here, too. Gates has invested heavily in initiatives to improve math education for underprivileged children, such as the Common Core State Standards and the Khan Academy.
More and more people, Bill Gates among them, recognize that you can’t operate in the 21st century without being mathematically literate. That means Black, White, and Brown children won’t excel without better math comprehension. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as The Nation’s Report Card, shows the need to prioritize basic math skills. Only 41% of fourth graders and 34% of eighth graders are proficient in math, meaning they have a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and can apply them to solve problems. The scores are decidedly lower for Black and Brown children.
Now that it’s clear that most kids don’t know math either, Gates and others are ready to invest in math learning. It’s late, but it’s about time.
At STEM Global Action (SGA), we have adopted the Moses Doctrine. Our affiliates in New Orleans (STEM NOLA) and other locations are establishing STEM ecosystems with parents, educators, industries, and civic leaders. We bring STEM learning into underrepresented communities and work with K-12th-grade students, teaching them how math and science influence and impact their everyday lives. This is the work that must continue.
Thank you, Bill Gates, for investing in our children and math education. Now, let’s make Bob Moses proud. He recognized the transformative power of math education for Black children and dedicated his life to promoting educational equality. Let’s specifically provide the attention and resources that allow all children to thrive.
