In a recent article I described a group of individuals objecting to the use of the Hindu Arabic Base 10 Number System taught to students in U.S. public schools as “uninformed.” A couple of people commented that the word uninformed was too harsh, while others commented that the word was not harsh enough. According to AI, the word “uninformed” is generally considered a relatively neutral, objective or descriptive term in that it primarily describes a state of lacking information or knowledge about a specific subject. A synonym for uniformed is uneducated.

A 2018 survey conducted by Civic Science, an American market research company, asked 3,624 respondents: “Should American schools teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum?” Fifty-six percent of the respondents (2,020 people ) answered “no”. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said that Arabic Numerals should be taught in U.S. schools and 15 percent had no opinion. According to AI, the survey revealed that 72% of surveyed Republicans and 40% of surveyed Democrats opposed the use of Arabic Numbers in U.S. public schools.

But sometimes poll results depend on the language being used and how the question asked is being posed. Had Civic Science modified their question to include a statement that Arabic Numerals have been taught and used in this country for hundreds of years, I am quite certain that the survey results would have been very different. The “gotcha” survey left out critical information so that uninformed individuals could be labeled as ignorant, uneducated and/or bigoted. And of course some uninformed individuals could describe the 29% of respondents replying to the affirmative as Woke Liberals.

As strange as it sounds, I use Facebook and YouTube to look for math problems to solve and to find lesson plan ideas. The results of this 2018 survey pop up on both sites quite often. Also popping up on FB and YT with regards to this survey are claims that the Civic Science Company does not exist and the survey was never actually conducted. To the best of my research, the survey was conducted. According to Google, Civic Science is a for profit consumer analytics and polling company based in Pittsburgh.

The company is not a traditional research group, though it uses scientific data-driven methodologies. Sounds to me like you pay Civic Science and they concoct a survey and/or research that will show whatever you want it to show. I hate it when individuals try to use something as pure and concrete as mathematics to mislead and to misinform.

I have seen similar surveys and polls, used by both political parties, that are worded in such a way as to mislead people and to label uninformed individuals. These types of polls and surveys are written and administered in an attempt to politically divide us. That is why it is so critical in this day and age to take the time to fact check everything you read or view as best as you can.

I write these columns because I am no longer able to do the thing I love the most, that is teaching kids and working with young people full time. It is my hope that these articles are thought provoking, informative, educational and entertaining. One of the wonderful mentors I had early in my career told me that kids can’t learn from you if they think you don’t like them. If you can’t love the unlovable kid, then you better be a good actor. If you can’t do either, then you’re in the wrong line of work. I was blessed with the gift of being able to love even the naughtiest kids.

Many of the divisive actors on both sides of our political landscape use biased polls and labels to fire up their bases and attempt to persuade the undecided or the uninformed. Hillary Clinton learned during the 2016 election cycle that you can’t label almost half the electorate as deplorable and think that you’re going to influence any of them to vote for you. President Donald Trump and company have routinely described the Democrat Party (why do they leave off the ic?) using labels such as Leftists, Antifa, Communists, Marxists, Socialists, extremists and other pejoratives. And of course Democrats respond in kind. The divisive rhetoric goes back and forth. Both sides argue over who started it and who uses the more harmful rhetoric.

President Trump has stated during campaign rallies and in speeches how he loves the uneducated. I love the uninformed too. But I think that Trump and I love the uneducated for different reasons. I love the uninformed because I have been an educator my entire adult life. I love the uneducated because I want to teach them to be independent logical free thinkers and life long learners. It is my hope that through education we can heal some of the division in our country. So here readers is your homework assignment: Objectively examine the president’s words and actions. Use mathematics wherever you can. Educate yourselves and determine for your own selves why Trump loves the uneducated so much. And think about whether or not we should continue to use the Hindu-Arabic Base 10 Number System in our country.

Andrew Ludwig is a retired math teacher and a retired public school and Catholic school administrator. He currently works as a substitute teacher in Chautauqua County.