What, to the Colonized, Is Citizenship? The Dilemma of Democratic Education

• In Event: 70.065 - Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: 70.065-11 - Democratic Citizenship in Education SIG Roundtable Session #3

Abstract

With recent focus on the role of schools in nurturing citizenship development among poor and racialized youth, attention must be paid to the tensions inherent in ideas of citizenship, civic engagement, and democracy resulting from the colonial roots embedded therein. What would it mean for those with colonial subjectivities to take these ideals up? Frederick Douglas’ speech--What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?-- can be analyzed as a call for decentered unity (Apple, 2013)– and an urging to rally around democratic ideals so that these may apply to all citizens. Decolonial thinkers, however, warn that the nation’s borders, its “citizens,” and subsequent educative processes must be seen in light of past and continued colonial dominance.

Author

• Dinorah Sanchez Loza, The Ohio State University