Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ A Call to Interrogate Educational Development for Racism and Colonization

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

The raised fist graphic was already a cliché when I was working at the student newspaper in the 1980s and the issues addressed in this article are just as old (even if we're using the new 'decolonization' terminology instead of the tried-and-true language of 'anti-imperialism'). I sincerely doubt that another round of genuflection by western-based academics and support workers will have a significant impact. I could be wrong, and I certainly don't want to discourage those working against racism and imperialism. But I don't think the problem here is simply the lack of awareness and training. I think work toward concrete reforms like public health care, access to education, equitably distributed infrastructure, fair employment practices, global financial reform, environmental justice, and limits to wealth and power will have far more effect, even if it is not done perfectly per the western-based academics and support workers. Stop fighting for change, and start working for it.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Nov 23, 2024 6:26 p.m.

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