Paulo

For apart from inquiry, apart from the praxis, individuals cannot be truly human. Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other.



-Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed

The pedagogy of the oppressed, is dense at many times and hard to manage. Rather than become overwhelmed within the text I prefer to examine a quote that I feel ex implies the book as a whole (an specifically the in relation to education). The first section of the quote discusses praxis and inquiry. Paulo defines praxis in Pedagogy of the Oppressed, as " reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it." This belief of Paulo that questioning and the desire to discover a pathway to learn is crucial to the definition of what defines an individual as human. In this classroom the continually the themes humanity and human dignity are raised. In many of the works we have read (Kozol, Tatum) discuss specific inequalities that occur within society; education or racial inequality. Freire's piece, though challenging, comes at an opportune time in the class where we have discussed specific aspects of where the humanity and dignity is compromised, and have had hands on experiences with the IHAD program working within education. Friere claims in this work that without this struggle to discover and learn, the individual is stripped of their humanity. His pouring method ties directly into the idea that not only must one have the opportunity to learn, but it must be approached through a investigation, non-banking method. Nussbaum might argue that is simple the capability to of attaining an education that gives an individual their humanity and dignity.




Freire in the last part of the quote describes knowledge as a continual pursuit that is transforming and full of 'hopeful inquiry'. The last section is full of hope, and some may say idealism that is found in especially in the last two chapters of the pedagogy of the oppressed. Rejecting the traditional banking methods of education, Freire promotes a search of knowledge that is not based on simple conquering of concepts, but continually learning with goals that grow and change. Not only does Freire call for a tireless search and questioning of knowledge, but interaction with other human beings, " hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other.




After reading and especially watching Freire, it is hard not to agree with his positive theory on how learning should occur. However, looking at the structure of college education the learning method is rarely used. How do we work at IHAD and encourage a banking method that I haven't encountered in years. Being a Big Sister I am continually trying to encourage learning and education. However, the hardest thing is to teach in a way that doesn't simply teach one lesson, but implement a mode for her to discover and learn on her own. I find if I focus less on my role as a role model and 'educator,' and more on my own desire to learn as well.