Complicating Critical Pedagogy's Notions of Subjectivity, Identity, and Consciousness-Raising

• In Event: Marxian Analysis of Society, Schools, and Education

Abstract

This paper articulates a Marxian critique of consciousness raising as an end-in-itself, as the goal of critical pedagogy. Raising consciousness, on its own, does nothing to transform the material conditions of our oppressive social order. Too often, we create steps or stages necessary to realize social change on the side of humanization. But learning about oppression comes with an additional challenge: such learning can stand in for action. In other words, learning about oppression can feel like combatting oppression on its own, when if anything such learning ought to be part of a praxis: action and reflection in equal measure on the world in order to transform it (Freire, 2000).

Author

• Zachary A. Casey, Rhodes College
  Presenting Author