Discussion for Monika, Eug, Hak, Benjamin, Danny

Posting this on Eug's behalf (these are his words, he is just having trouble posting):

What is critical pedagogy? Paulo Freire describes pedagogy in his book “Pedagogy of the Oppressed" as a journey that has revolution and liberation as a desired result. In light of this, I would like to guide the conversation to whether education is liberating and revolutionary today? If so how? If not how come?

Throughout the Comber text, it became increasingly apparent how cultural pedagogy plays a huge role in developing effective pedagogy. "In effect, this means that critical literacy pedagogy will look different in different locations (pg 130, Comber)." This jives with Freire’s point that it is important to be culturally competent and aware because of it’s unifying qualities. This also highlights Combers text where the focus is on children become writers to develop a deeper and more personal sense of literacy. For those who are not familiar with Freire and his writings, his views of society primarily consist of two groups, which are the oppressors and the oppressed. Of course I am butchering his words, but this is the best I can do. Do you agree with Freire? disagree?

Are there other examples of cultural literacy pedagogies found within your schools that come to mind?

Freire points out that the oppressor within society wants to divide and conquer the oppressed to keep the power in their own hands. “Critical Literacy Xenophobia: Laws of Exclusion in Arizona” brought to my attention how we are indeed oppressed and divided as a people by giving a very concrete example of this phenomenon. Are there other examples where we see literacy is used as a social divider?

Another point Freire makes is how the oppressor desires people to be estranged from themselves. To be blind to themselves as conscious beings. Camangian calls for, “literacies that connect with students’ lived experiences and allow them to move between and across their multiple identities, while developing an awareness of the world and their position in it(pg 459, Camangian).” As a fellow educator, I definitely agree with the author’s position. Freire believes only “enlightened or conscious” people can liberate others. Why is it important for people to be conscious about the world around them? thoughts? feelings?