Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 30th Anniversary Edition

This book is mind blowing. However, it wasn't always that way. I attempted to read this book as an undergraduate and found it incomprehensible (due to my own lack of interest thinking about anything beyond being in my classroom and teaching my students- well, at least being in charge of them). I reproached it again as a masters' student in music education. It made some sense to me, but I read it as if I was the oppressed (which I was, in a way), but I was unready to see my own role of oppressor as an educator (though I am very progressive, constructivistic, and student-centered). I finally came back to this gem in my first year as a doctoral student. What I saw in Freire's translated words both caused be to 1) become somewhat saddened by my own oppressive ways and 2) found myself reinvigorated to help my own students, friends, and families realize how powerful they really are by truly working with them (not at them or for them). I find each new reading of this book to yield even more insights (and this is a book that deserves multiple reads). This book is amazing, if you are ready for it. I find the 1 star ratings as rather interesting as they mostly fall into two camps: 1) anti-socialistic or 2) disliking the writing style. As for the first concern, this work is built upon the ideas of Marx and Fanon (among others). Both of these writers were radicals who believed in fostering more equitable systems to live in. The knee-jerk reaction of many against "socialist" ideas is narrow-sighted and ignorant of both the inequitable realities of life and the possibilities that capitalism is not the cure all or all-powerful truth. Instead of socialism, let's see it as focusing on social justice. As for the second concern, let us not forget that this is a translated work with all the oddities that come with such a venture. Also, Freire employs a great deal of philosophical metaphors through his work that take a great deal of decoding at times. However, just because something is hard does not mean it is bad. Overall, this is a genius work by a caring and gentle mind. If can absolutely change your view of teaching (and even your world view) if are ready for it. I am grateful to have such a work in my life and be in a place where I can seek to help foster conscientização in my loving work with students.

This book completely changed my life. I am pursuing a career in education now mostly because of what I read in this book and the experiences it drove me to live through in my life. It is hard to describe why this book is so wonderful, but I will try my best. Firstly, it is a very wise and succinct analysis of the concepts of dialogue, class, and exploitation. Secondly, he uses a lot of terms in this book that he dedicates sufficient time to defining and then applying, such as "oppression," "dehumanization," and the ever-present "conscientization," and "praxis." This made it a thought provoking book to read because it drove me to question my beliefs, not only regarding those specific words but also about how I communicate and what I do when I communicate. This book forces its readers to engage with it. Freire does not back away from making controversial statements but he also resists the temptation to simply fall into an ideological analysis. Many people called him a "marxian" writer, but it is clear that in this book he is critiquing contemporary (to when he wrote the book) Marxism-Leninism, Maoism, and the socialist governments of Central and South America. Freire is very goal and solution-oriented, not content to simply observe and criticize but to also offer alternatives based on his experience and research. Anyone interested in sociology, education, or who just wants to read something thought-provoking and challenging must read this book. For those who feel very strongly about their beliefs and do not want them questioned, this book will be very painful to read. Whatever your ideological beliefs, this book will make you question them and most likely alter them. I have not looked at reality in the same way since I first read this book. I have now read it several times and will continue to re-read it in the years to come.

This book is amazing, truthful, yet a reader can only truly understand it if they are able to see past their privilege. It is so phenomenal, and as a social worker who works with impoverished individuals who have an unfair access to resources in the community, it's incredible to see that Freire is able to capture this amazing system of oppression in a way that outlasted time. It's true, the middle part (second chapter) is a little difficult and repetitive, but everything else in the book makes it worth bearing through. This is a book and a topic that should be required in every university, and every educator should read this to address the proper issues in the everyday classroom. Teachers may be underpaid and severely undermined, but they are the ones who have the reins to lead the future of our society into a better place--the world is on your shoulders and this is how you can leap towards a change for the better!! On another note, for people who have difficulty understanding the book are, in my opinion, often people who are unable to understand that yes, in fact, there is a structure of oppression in our society. We are all part of it, and it saddens me to see that some people are unable to realize the reality around them. Once this realization is reached, the book will suddenly become much more meaningful. Please read it after you have reached that point.

Cracking piece of analysis that deconstructs our approach to imposing learning on others

教育学や開発学を学ぶ人間には必読。

This book has been a standard for me since grad school. I recommend it highly.

Amazing

Required for uni