Student Refuses To Answer ‘Offensive’ Question On Math Homework, Receives Praise On Social Media

Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in October 2019, amid record high levels of political division in America. According to Pew surveys, the US ranks among the highest in the world according to how many people feel more divided than before the pandemic. More on this here:https://www.latimes.com/politics/newsletter/2021-10-15/us-most-divided-nation-in-worldwide-survey-essential-politics

Rhythm Pacheco, a 10 year old girl from Utah, refused to answer her Math test question after deeming it as “offensive” and “rude”, and had written her explanation to her teacher.

Her mother, Naomi, has been checking her daughter’s work before stumbling upon her Math test paper, and was in awe after seeing her daughter’s response to the seemingly offensive question. She decided to share a photo of it on social media, where many of the viewers have praised the little girl for standing up for her beliefs.

Her Math question had asked her to compare three women’s weights and to determine ‘how much heavier’ one was compared to the lightest student.

The little girl wrote, “This is offensive. Sorry I won’t right this it’s rood.”

After writing the comment, she also was worried about how her teacher would react, so she wrote another separate letter for her teacher to read later on after the quiz.

It said: “I don’t want to be rude but I don’t think that math problem was very nice because that’s judging people’s weight.” and “Also the reason I did not do the sentence is because I just don’t think that’s nice. Love Rhythm.”

The 10-year old girl was concerned about how other girls may feel insecure about the question presented in the test, and her response to it had made both her parents very proud.

Rhythm’s dad and I were extremely proud of Rhythm for listening to her gut instincts and standing up for what is right,” said her mother. “Rhythm’s teacher was so responsive and handled the situation with such care. She told her she understands how she would be upset about this and that she didn’t have to write out the answer.”