Desperately Seeking "Spaces for Resistance and Agency"

The article "Critical Pedagogy: Dreaming of Democracy," by Ann George, is the most exciting I've read thus far. I like the idea that, as pedagogy, it has the potential to open people's consciousness. I truly believe that's what college is supposed to do. Unfortunately, as George points out, most schools, most institutions, are put in place to do just the opposite; that instructors are in place, and students are sent to learn, an "ideology...as unquestionable as air". But, if we can just find those "spaces for resistance and agency" then, perhaps there is hope that the masses can become more than simply cultural sheep.

This reading reminds me of a passage in the book The Third Wave by futurist Alvin Toffler, where he discusses the creation of the public school system and how it was developed just as the “industrial era” was evolving, (and, I am paraphrasing here). Basically, (if I understand correctly), it (the public school system) was created not so that children could learn the three "R's, reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmatic. Somebody needed to work in all those factories that were being built to produce 500 widgets an hour. People who used to work the farm during the previous "agricultural era" were convinced that they could make more money working ten to twelve hour days producing those widgets. But, what were they supposed to do with the eight children they had to help them work the farm? Public schools were created, not only to provide a space for those children, but also, (and probably more importantly), to teach them: punctuality, obedience and repetitiveness. That way, when their folks died early from stress and unhealthy working conditions, there would be someone to replace them who'd already learned how to be on time for work, mind the boss, and make widgets over and over...and over again.