Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire

Everything on this page is subject to change. This is under development.

This group is being formed because two people I know have recommended the book for doing community organizing with the oppressed or poor. I read it back in the late 1990s or early 2000s, and haven’t revisited it since, so it’s new to me, again.

The book is influential, so, many people have been exposed to Freire’s ideas, even if they haven’t read PotO.

Below are study resources, videos, and audio related to the book. I’m not sure when I’m going to make an online reading group for this book.

To sign up for the reading group email list: Join the Reading Group

Reading Group Description

I’m basing the format on the Black Reconstruction Reading Group. This was a cooperative, peer-study, group. There was no “teacher”, and no “student”. We were all working through the book together.

We support each other to read Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, violent speech.

The reading group will meet online once a week. Each session’s reading will be around 20 to 30 pages.

Meeting Format:

5min – introductions
10min – presentation of summary (if one exists), discussion of reading
30min – discussion period. Then, determine next section of book to read, and by what date. Determine who will moderate the next meeting, and who will create a summary of the next section. Post this information to the file share.

* No talking over each other.
* Each speaker has a set amount of time to speak. Don’t go over.
* You must give all people must have a chance to speak, before you can speak again. Going down a list of all the people is recommended, because some people are shy and won’t break the silence.
* Men need to learn to be quiet. Hold onto that.

Resources

Readings

Rasood Maja has a series of videos with a complete reading of the book, and chapter summaries. The following is a compilation of all the summaries, and I think his perspective captures the spirit of the book well.