I found this exherbt from Freire's 'Pedagogy of the Opressed' on the blog series 'inward/outward', and I thought I'd pass it on as the thoughts and struggling contradictions are very relevant to where my mind and my blogs are at right now. :)
Critical and liberating dialogue, which presupposes action, must be carried on with the oppressed at whatever the stage of their struggle for liberation. The content of that dialogue can and should vary in accordance with historical conditions and the level at which the oppressed perceive reality. But to substitute monologue, slogans, and communiques for dialogue is to attempt to liberate the oppressed with the instruments of domestication. Attempting to liberate the oppressed without their reflective participation in the act of liberation is to treat them as objects which must be saved from a burning building; it is to lead them into the populist pitfall and transform them into masses which can be manipulated.
At all stages of their liberation, the oppressed must see themselves as women and men engaged in the ontological and historical vocation of becoming more fully human.
By Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed)
It certainly poses a lot of question about how to do what you're doing right? I think along with Deanne we could have a really interesting conversation about this. Deanne is studying colonialism right now which ties in strongly to a discussion of this type. I think the main thrust of Deanne's arguements about this stuff is that individuals who are being helped take that help in a context and view with respect to their background.
ReplyDeleteDialogue! An interaction! A sharing! A two way exchange!
I imagine that is as much to learn as to teach in your setting...
lots of love nico
m