pedagogy of the oppressed

Approximately 150 pages and resulting from his observations during six years of political exile, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire is written in four sections. Liberation is not a gift, not a self-achievement, but a mutual process. The ‘banking’ concept of education as an instrument of oppression, and problems with education as an instrument for liberation are as timely now as they were when published in 1970.

Paulo writes: the more students work at storing the deposits entrusted to them, the less they develop the critical consciousness which would result from their intervention in the world as transformers of that world.

He re-centers the narrative repeatedly stating the oppressed are not ‘marginals’. They have always been ‘inside’— inside the structure that designated them as ‘beings for others’.

The structure must be transformed.

He speaks to mistrust of revolutionary leaders, and draws important connections across regions and cultures in analyzing the psyche of peasant and class. The book acknowledges that limited resources should not inhibit ideology for change, and while I do think he attempts to offer practical application, this may be where the writings fall short.

I’m not a formal educator so I’m curious to know if this book is widely studied in professional degree programs or if it’s considered as transformative in current times.

Paulo emphasizes dialogue, love and humility as essential components. Humanity is at the heart of his philosophy.

Many thanks to Paulo and his partner wife, Elza, his ‘first reader’ to whom he says the work belongs to as well.

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