Critical Pedagogy: A Look at the Major Concepts - Response

Peter McLaren's "Critical Pedagogy: A Look at the Major Concepts" raised several societal and cultural issues that I think are very interesting.  I particularly liked when McLaren explained how critical educators argue that knowledge should be analyzed on the basis of whether it is oppressive or exploitative, and not on the basis of whether it is "true."  He continues by asking, "what kind of knowledge do we construct about women and minority groups in school texts?  Do the texts we use in class promote stereotypical views that reinforce racist, sexist, and patriarchal attitudes?"  My belief is that schools inevitably exude a certain air of authority simply because they are established institutions.  What is taught in schools is usually just assumed to be "right."  But I think that it is important that we do question and challenge what we teach in schools, and we must constantly analyze what the effects of our curriculum are.  I would argue that our schools do tend to reinforce dominant societal norms, which are difficult to avoid.  Dominant societal norms are dominant for a reason; they have been established through years of tradition and maintained by conservative perspectives.  It seems difficult for schools to separate themselves from these prevailing norms, but I do think it is possible.  The key is for schools to adopt a more cosmopolitan outlook that recognizes the "sub-cultures" within our society and validates them as significant.

McLaren's article encouraged me to reflect upon my own educational experience and determine if I have been subjected to any knowledge or curriculum that encouraged or reinforced dominant societal norms.  What came to mind was how Christopher Columbus was essentially glorified in school, but his treatment towards Native Americans was overlooked, at least in the lower grades.  It wasn't until at least 8th grade that I began to learn more about European/American treatment towards Native Americans.  The only other potentially oppressive/exploitative aspect of my schooling was that I feel that famous women weren't given as much attention as men in my science and history classes.