Paulo Freire's concept of Dehumanization

This is an overview of some of the key concepts we've covered in class on Paulo Friere:

Dehumanization is a DISTORTION of the vocation of becoming more fully human.
Dehumanization occurs within our history but it is not our given destiny or "human nature," therefore it can be challenged.
The OPPRESSED restore the humanity of BOTH oppressors and oppressed, through struggling for their own humanity.

"Fear of freedom" locks you into two roles:
-desiring the role of the oppressor
-submitting to the situation of being oppressed
Prescription is the oppressor's tool for attempting to control our thoughts and actions.

Freedom requires the oppressed to reject these two roles and the oppressor's prescriptions and replace them with autonomy and responsibility.
Freedom takes work and dedication.
Freedom is acquired by conquest, not by gift.

To achieve freedom we must:
-critically recognize its causes
-transform our actions
-recreate our reality in the process of human completion
To have never known freedom, is to have never experienced humanity to the fullest.



Image taken by Charlita Hoskins