Paulo Freire in a Hall of Mirrors

Abstract

Since first published in English in 1970, Pedagogy of the Oppressed has inspired generations of scholars and social activists to examine the inherent potential of Paulo Freire's theories on grassroots intellectual emancipation and education in marginalized communities. The interpretive lineage of Freire's writings is vast, indeed. To date, scholars continue to mobilize Freire's ideas to establish meaningful connections between what he describes as “liberatory teaching” and the role progressive educators must play in bringing about a more just and humane society. Freire's popularity outside Brazil, however, has come with inevitable tradeoffs worth considering, particularly as regards the epistemological directions and labels affixed to his educational philosophy. Considering the “many Freires” phenomenon, Sandro Barros takes a genealogical approach in this essay to the metanarratives that have made up Freire scholarship outside Brazil. His analysis is guided by the following questions: (1) What kinds of hermeneutic cultures have enveloped Freire's ideas in academic contexts? (2) How have these cultures shaped the reading practices that surround his texts?

Separated by a Common Heterodoxy. Illich, Freire and the Perilous Spell of Radical Canonicity

“…More hermeneutic than simply a matter of language, this loss reveals several ideological expectations by which many would approach such texts. Sandro Barros (2020) recently discussed this at some length with regards to Freire's work and how often it is read from outside Brazilian contexts:…”

Spiritual and religious meaning making in language and literacy studies: global perspectives on teaching, learning, curriculum and policy

“…Other work traces the spiritual and religious roots of influential literacy theorists. Barros (2020), for example, illuminates the spiritual roots and meanings of Freire's work on literacyincluding the popular notion of "conscientização" so often translated by North American scholars as "critical consciousness." In Barros's situated interpretation of its socioreligious emergence, "conscientização implies an act of faith, Christians' responsibility to ethically care for Creation in all of its forms" (161).…”

Mitos y realidades sobre el nacimiento de la Pedagogía del Oprimido: una conversación con testigos directos de la escritura de Paulo Freire en Chile

“…Marcela Gajardo nos dijo que Paulo la mandó a hacer esto después de una reunión en Chantilly en tiempos en que Marcela Gajardo hacía su postgrado en Inglaterra. Eso no significa que el libro en diferentes idiomas y culturas no haya dado lugar a muchas interpretaciones y "muchos Freires" como ha sostenido recientemente Sandro Barros (2020).…”