In the Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire illustrates an in-depth understanding of the oppressed’s mindset and the process of gaining freedom. According to the author, the process of liberation requires to main steps. The first step is to understand the position of a group of people as oppressed in society through education. Secondly, the oppressed are expected to lead the revolution of the oppressed as they understand the challenges of the group. The author also illustrates the benefits of addressing personal biases and challenges in identifying the issue of oppression in society. The first chapter of the text offers the basis of the pedagogy of the oppressed. In that, oppression is not only done by the oppressor but also the oppressed are conditioned to accept the oppressed position. The book by Freire illustrates the current black lives movement addressing the challenge of inequality and also resonates with other readings in the course.
The reading is relevant to the recent protests by the Black Lives Matter movement. Following Floyd’s death, it is evident that the concept of liberation became more vocal in society. The different steps illustrated by Freire are captured in the protests. As the author illustrates, “In the first, the oppressed unveil the world of oppression and through the praxis commit themselves to its transformation” (Freire 36). The first step of liberation is learning the different ways in which oppression has been applied in society. In the protests, the knowledge of the process of oppression is captured in the removal of confederate statues, which represent the systemic and tradition of oppression. Similarly, the BLM is led by the group of people who know firsthand the impacts of an oppressive racial system.
The concept expressed in this reading resonates with other readings in the course as it captures the systems of inequality in a society. The first chapter explains the aspect of humanization and dehumanization. As Freire explains, “Concern for humanization leads at once to the recognition of dehumanization, not only as an ontological possibility but as historical reality” (25). The basic concept of humanization is expressed in the texts by Tara Yosso, who calls for equality in society. The main idea presented in the chapter is reiterated in the various books, and articles read in class and other academic levels as it shows the basis of oppression. Freire’s system and advancement of the central ideas of oppression allow a reader to understand and interpret different social inequalities and efforts placed in solving them by various scholars.
The article by Freire illustrates a system of inequality that is viewed in the recent protests on police brutality and systemic racism. The reading offers a comprehensive perspective of inequality, thus challenging the readers to understand their own bias and how it impacts the oppressed of the oppressor. While reading the chapter, I constantly asked the question: is the system of inequality created to cast doubt on the impacts of freedom to both victims and benefactors? The answer to the question was presented in reading the aspect that the oppressed fear freedom as it changes their mindset. The book by Freire allows a reader to have a reflective moment to understand how different forms of inequalities in the society have been developed and the role of the oppressed in the survival of the system.