Breaking Through “Isms”

Abstract

In a preliminary meeting in juvenile hall with a group of incarcerated young men, my coinstructor and I shared our vision for the class we would soon begin with them and a group of college students. We offered the workshop as a space where we would talk about topics they wanted to explore, would create art together, and could be open and honest with each other. After we finished our pitch, I asked for questions. One young man raised his hand.

I am more and more convinced that true revolutionaries must perceive the revolution, because of its creative and liberating nature, as an act of love. For me, the revolution, which is not possible without a theory of revolution—and therefore science—is not irreconcilable with love. [T]he revolution is made by people to achieve their humanization. What, indeed, is the deeper motive which moves individuals to become revolutionaries, but the dehumanization of people?

Paulo Freire¹