Elizabeth Ellsworth is the author the book “Why Doesn't This Feel Empowering? Working through the Repressive Myths of Critical Pedagogy” On her book, Ellsworth states that the discussion of critical pedagogy should be derived from rationalist assumptions that facilitate oppressive myths. While explaining the critical pedagogy concept she reflects her position as a professor, and a middle-class and white women in a discussion with a group of student from diverse background. In her book, Ellsworth critiques the concepts of dialogue, empowerment, critical reflection and student voice.
According to my own opinion, an aspect in real life that is used to destabilize our social set-up should not be tolerated at all cost in our society. This is due to the fact such aspect cause social disintegration and disunity in the society. Objects that are used to cause social deconstruction tend to facilitate animosity and social injustices among people from diverse groups in the society.
The most important aspect that can result to equality in our society is education. This is due to the fact that education empowers the less privilege and marginalized people in the society. Education strengthens democracy and enables people become better people. Apart from empowering people in the society, education also creates a just society that is more egalitarian. Social changes in the society can therefore be attained through the deployment of education.
Media can also be used to empower the society. Media enlighten entails equipping people with skills that will enable them to know their rights. Many people in the society do not fight for their rights due to lack of knowledge. High level of illiteracy in the society prevents individuals from understanding and fighting for their right. However, the media can be used to enlighten people regarding their constitutional rights. Once people in enlightened regarding their rights they will be in a good position to fight for it.
Media also enlightens students; it teaches them the politics of representation of class, students, ethnicity, sexually, race and gender. By understanding the politics of representation students will be able to co-exist peacefully with their colleagues in school and at home. Cases of ethnicity and race which are prevalence in the society will be abolished by politics of representation.
Media literacy is the solution to cultural differences. The information provided by media to the society increases our knowledge regarding certain cultural perceptions. Therefore through media individuals will be able differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. As a result cultural practices that create division in our society will be abolished. The knowledge and information acquired by people from media enhances democratization and fosters their creative and critical thinking.
Media makes people become more analytical before they make decisions. In many societies people hate each other due to their diverse background. Nonetheless they fail to understand that no one that choose to belong to a certain group. Through the media people are able to discover that we are equal and there is no basis for us to discriminate each other due to group background.
Promoting peaceful co-existence leads national integration. When people live together as brothers and sisters there are high chances that they will succeed in their endeavors and development will be attained in the society. Thus, people can use education and media to attain empowerment in the quest of achieving social integration and unity in the society.
