NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University will host a public screening of the documentary “Counted Out” on Friday, Nov. 14. The event is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Colden Hall Room 3500 and is open to all interested attendees at no cost.

The film explores political polarization, racial and economic inequity, the global pandemic, and climate change through mathematics. It uses personal stories, expert interviews, and examples of math in action to show how mathematics supports democracy. “Counted Out” has been featured at several film festivals such as the San Francisco International Film Festival, South by Southwest EDU, and Original Thinkers in Telluride, Colorado.

Dr. Jenni Wall, professor of mathematics and statistics at Northwest Missouri State University, played a key role in bringing the documentary to campus after viewing it herself. She emphasized the importance of changing perceptions about mathematics.

“It is important that we help society redefine how they see mathematics, what it looks like to be successful in math, and, more importantly, who has access to that mathematics,” Wall said. “Many people are comfortable saying they aren’t a math person, but math is impacting our lives whether we are aware of it or not. We can idly let others make decisions for us and tell us what to think, or we can be responsible consumers of media, informed citizens and use mathematics to critically view the world around us. This film will help highlight these messages and hopefully catalyze necessary changes in mathematics in our community.”

The university’s School encourages educators at all levels—including education majors—and anyone interested in improving math education to attend the screening.