I Love Your Class, But I Still Hate Math: Exploring Black Girls Perspectives on Mathematics

• In Event: K-12 Curriculum in the Content Areas

Abstract

This study reports Black girls (n=4) perspectives on mathematics shaped by classroom interactions with their peers and a teacher who identifies as a Black woman. Intersectionality frames this study as Black girls are rendered invisible in mathematics education research and within the mathematics classroom (Butler-Barnes, 2021; Joseph, 2017). Preliminary findings of participant interviews noted feelings of comfort and respect within the classroom impacted Black girls participation in class, homework completion and overall attitudes towards the course content despite having negative feelings towards the subject matter. During coding, the theme of negative feelings surrounding mathematics as a whole, despite a positive relationship with a Black woman teacher and positive memories of the time in class was most salient.

Author

• Marlena Eanes, Vanderbilt University