Paulo Freire's Struggle Against Oppression

Oppression, the dehumanization of another, is a hard topic to examine, since it is such an unfortunate fundamental truth to our world. It seems as if oppression is an impossible problem, but Paulo Freire suggests that with loving dialogue, reflection, and action we will be able to reach humanization. This seems rather idealistic, since we are consistently in this struggle against oppression, so does humanization even exist? Paulo Freire states, “ It is thwarted by injustice, exploitation, oppression, and the violence of the oppressors; it is affirmed by the yearning of the oppressed for freedom and justice, and by their struggle to recover their lost humanity.”(44) He believes that it is clear that we have a vocation for humanization since

The only way to change oppression is through the love of humanity and trust between the oppressed and oppressors for a common goal of humanization. He explains that through this one can have true dialogue that can lead to action: praxis. I agree, that the only way to make true progress is with trust and dialogue, but that is idealistic. Not everyone can have access to productive dialogue, nonetheless be open-minded enough to take part in it, especially those that are oppressors. When having dialogue between the oppressed and oppressors, there must be acceptance and love, which some people are not capable of. Those that are ignorant, within the both groups and cannot see their oppression do not have the knowledge to participate in a dialogue. Like in class, with our frog in the well analogy, how can one describe the world outside the well if one is not willing to hear? Those that are oppressors and oppressed are submerged in their worlds of oppression and some would lack the understanding needed to have dialogue. In this situation, education that lacks dialogue is required. Those that do not understand their own oppression will not be able to engage in dialogue, because there is a lack of