Hello again! Today I chose to talk about the reading about liberation practices and how they relate to self-care and activism.
When I think of liberation, I think of historically oppressed groups coming to understand the roots of their struggles and coming together to share information, resources, and ideas for change. The reading mentions storytelling, art, and dialogue as forms of this and although they may seem small, they can be the spark to ignite greater conscientiousness and group power. One idea that we’re going to discuss today is self-care, which I have learned is a radical act for many communities of color and has its roots in Black feminism. Self-care is an act of resistance, as well as many other methods of liberation that are discussed in the reading.
One small act of liberation that came to mind for me today was something I learned about last semester in my Sociology of Education course. We watched a documentary called “Precious Knowledge” (I highly recommend it!) and it is about a group of teachers and students in a Mexican American Studies program at Tucson High School in Arizona. Students in this program were able to incorporate Mexican American history and activism into their studies, with many students more engaged and interested in the material than ever before. The program became a national model for educational success, highly increasing the school’s high school graduation rate and the percentage of students attending college. I think that one of the reasons is because this type of course material and tailoring to the social identities and backgrounds of the student body served as a form of liberation for the students. They were taught about how to protest for causes they believe in, they were able to incorporate the history of anti-immigration policy and racism in the US into their coursework, they learned about cultural symbols and phrases that are important to them and more. Although this doesn’t necessarily fix any of the issues that affect their social group, it is an important step in group organizing and teaching younger people about the roots of oppression and liberation.
What motivates me to join with others to create change is the thought that even actions on a smaller scale can have a lasting impact. It wouldn’t be accurate to say that my input and labor at NSO for these 2 months is going to end homelessness or even reach the framework of social inequalities. However, working on the community level can change procedures and lives in small ways, which can cause a chain reaction. Our liberation is all tied to one another’s and we have a duty to help each other grow closer to achieving it.
Our identities play a huge role in who we are and what we do. I agree with your take on the program. The active step of honestly talking about liberation, oppression, and activism with the youth is groundbreaking.
Hi Maggie, I agreed with your points about how the educational system can be powerful in working to teach the younger generation about oppression, different cultural backgrounds, and the history of social problems. I read the article but hadn’t really considered liberation practices in an educational context – I’m really realizing it can take so many forms (and can be something small, like you mentioned)!
Hi Maggie, I agree that working in a small group and making “small” changes often does cause chain reactions and I would argue is the root of any huge changes and shifts in overarching communities.
I enjoyed and learned from reading your post, Maggie. I am excited to find out about the “Precious Knowledge” documentary and will try to watch it soon, it sounds wonderful. I’m glad that you (and other fellows) find liberation practices relevant. I think it encapsulates and also deepens our understanding how collective action is necessary to make change.
Hey Maggie, I really loved your interpretation and example of Liberation practices from your sociology course. I think it is so important to recognize the value in making an effort no matter how small as it all work towards bettering any given situation. Regardless of whether our time this summer results in significant change within the community, being willing and open to help are conscious efforts towards liberation.