Abstract

APPLE, Michael W.. Expanding the dynamics of power: Freire and the politics of race in education. e-Curriculum [online]. 2016, vol.14, n.1, pp.277-295. ISSN 1809-3876.  https://doi.org/10.23925/1809-3876.2016v14i1p277-295.

Paulo Freire and I, in many dialogues, spent hours discussing the importance not only of theoretical interventions, but also of the crucial importance of praxis, of intervening into the daily lives of cultural and pedagogic realities and of letting these interventions speak back to one’s political and theoretic work. Unfortunately, all too many “critical theorists” in education have forgotten about the necessity of such action. Theory “rules”, with little correction from the realities of real institutions in real communities in real struggles. The struggles by Afro-Brazilian people against subjugation were not abstractions to Freire. He saw them as part of the necessary struggles against domination. In this paper, even though he is no longer present, I want to continue the dialogue on race that I started with Paulo. Since he insisted that we focus on our own daily experiences, I shall direct my attention to the realities of race in those nations with which I am most familiar, although I shall also touch on Brazil, Portugal, and elsewhere. My epistemological grounding will be decidedly Freirean. I want to interrogate the “culture of silence” in which we live, so that it can be transformed. Those of us who are committed to emancipatory and anti-racist educational policies and practices, would be wise to direct our attention not only to the racial effects of markets and standards, but just as much to the creative ways neo-liberal and neo-conservative movements work to convince so many people that these policies are merely neutral technologies that will help us make education more efficient and effective.

Keywords : Paulo Freire; Race; Power; Critical Education; Emancipatory Curriculum.

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