How to Build Critical Consciousness
“There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom.” ~ Paulo Freire
Keys to Political Education
Here are our main keys to political education:
- Build political education into your organizational culture and structure so that members can, “have political discussions that question that status quo.” (Rinku Sen) Find ways to consistently engage people in discussions and analysis. Learning about systems and institutions is more than just a skill/technique. It takes time to develop a whole new way of thinking.
- Articulate a clear ideology/group ideals. This helps maintain members over time since they know what you stand for and what they are investing time and energy in working for.
- Base political education in fact and inquiry. This helps limit dogma/rhetoric.
- Incorporate multiple ways for group and hands-on learning. Remember we all learn in different ways and our ideas often take time to develop, so make sure to provide multiple opportunities to learn.
How to Effectively Engage in Political Education
Why We Need Political Education
Rinku Sen writes in Stir it Up that our organizations are places for our people to, “have political discussions that question that status quo.” She continues political education promotes reflection and “growth opportunities that motivate action.”
Conducting political education also requires us to have a clear ideology. Rinku Sen reminds us that having an organizational ideology does not impose a belief on the members, because they probably will not join if they do not agree. The reason you have a political ideology is so you know what you are fighting for, which in turn makes retaining members easier and makes training/leadership development easier.
Political Education Helps People Understand a Problem Exists
Political education is more than just understanding the facts or information about issues, rather it’s about supporting people in uncovering there is a problem to begin with. Many people may not be aware that something is an issue unless they experience it firsthand
Principles of Political Education
The following principles come from Rinku Sen’s Stir it Up:
- Political education’s purpose defines, “the approach we take and the questions we ask.”
- Political education work needs to be based on fact/inquiry to limit dogma/rhetoric.
- We need to juggle education with our primary goal of political organizing.
- To keep folks engaged, we need to use different mediums for political education (e.g., hands-on engagement, discussions, trainings, etc.).
- Explore and analyze solutions with your political education program to limit a depressing outlook.
Engage in Real Discussion
Political education conversations should give people an opportunity to share their stories and experiences and connect with others in similar situations (e.g., tenant rights, educational opportunities, etc.). People can benefit from realizing there are others facing similar challenges.
Structuring Political Education Within Your Group
Where to Engage in Political Education
In your organization there are a few places to engage in political education according to Rinku Sen:
- When “developing issues.”
- When “exploring a new constituency or alliance.”
- During a “momentous event” (e.g., World Trade Center, Berlin Wall falls, Travyon Martin case, etc.). Note, for these events take “the time to conduct a discussion without the expectation of immediate action” and with the intent to eventually make a statement.
- Setting up “issue study groups” to collectively learn.
Incorporate Political Education Into Your Organizing Efforts
Rinku Sen quotes Carlos Canales who said, “Start with doing, rather than talking. Don’t forget that most people need a long process of education, but, in the meantime, we have to get changes.”
This means we need to connect issue campaigns’ efforts into our groups’ political education.
Tactics for Political Education
Remember political education should be more than you telling people, it should be part of a variety of methods. Here are a few to consider:
- Group conversations
- Workshops/Trainings (note: while you don’t want to have all your political education be workshops/trainings, it’s OK to have some)
- Debates where people on multiple sides of an issue delve deeper into the topic
- Movie showing and panel discussion
- Keynote and speaker talks
- Incorporated into regular meeting times