Mathematician Morris Kline's statement implies that the mathematics of ancient Egyptians and Babylonians was primitive compared to that of the Greeks, portraying non-western cultures as inferior. This view has been criticized as it carries the myth that non-Western cultures' intellectual traditions are behind.

Real-world example: This is like saying that early cave paintings are less significant than Renaissance artwork just because they were created earlier and are simpler.

There is a growing push for equity in mathematics and a decolonization of how it is taught. The history of mathematics and its perceived neutrality from factors like race, class, and gender have been major points of debate.

Real-world example: Think about the Pythagorean theorem. Most students know it came from the Greek mathematician Pythagoras, but similar concepts were also known in ancient India, China, and by the Babylonians, which is often not mentioned in Western textbooks.

Rochelle Gutiérrez is a professor who argues for "rehumanizing" mathematics by recognizing the dominance of Eurocentric ideas and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Her view that mathematics is inevitably entangled with power and politics sparked controversy and she faced hate mail and attacks.

Real-world example: Imagine if instead of just teaching the theorem of Pythagoras in Geometry, a teacher also discussed the Babyloni's knowledge of right-angle triangles or similar discoveries from the indigenous cultures of the Americas. This can help in acknowledging other cultures' contributions to the field.