Monday, August 06, 2007

Math is HARD

Daniel Abraham observes:

Ms. L suggests that Ms. M is insufficiently feminist because she is encouraging middle school girls to learn math by pointing out that being smart is not inconsistent with shopping and fashion and the consumerism that all us good lefties decry as bad and which middle school girls seem to think is just too nifty for words. If Ms. M wants to be a good role model for girls, she shouldn't do it (Ms. L suggests) by celebrating Gucci handbags....

Ms. L doesn't want math-smart girls. She wants TOTALLY LIBERATED, SELF-EMPOWERED middle-school girls RIGHT NOW, and anything less than total enlightenment is falling short. Which is great if what you want is the illusion of the moral high ground. And since that's not actually possible, it lets her off the hook for any effort toward incremental change.


True/False? Debatable? Totally on crack?

Have at it.

2 comments so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

Gee, I didn't realize their was a Marxist political philosophy litmus test in order to be empowered.

"Bow to the orthodoxy and be liberated!"

Feh!

Perpetual Beginner said...

Heh - I don't think middle-school is the point to start liberating girls. Too much crushing social pressure. Get 'em earlier if you can. If not, convincing them that smart isn't a horrible, horrible fate is a good start. If they're willing to be smart, they'll probably figure out the rest in time.