Learning #5 - The Power of Dialogue: Understanding the Oppressed Consciousness

Learning of the day: 


“We must never merely discourse on the present situation, must never provide the people with programs which have little or nothing to do with their own preoccupations, doubts, hopes and fears – programs which at times in fact increase the fears of the oppressed consciousness. It is not our role to speak to the people about our own view of the world, nor to attempt to impose that view on them, but rather dialogue with the people about their view and ours. We must realize that their view of the world, manifested variously in their actions, reflects their situation in the world. Education and political action which is not critically aware of this situation runs the risk either of “banking” or of preaching in the desert.” - From The Pedagogy of the Oppressed from Paulo Freire 

Note: The author uses the word 'banking' which basically means treating the other person as a vase in which you put or 'deposit' information

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