Dear G,
Remember that essay I did for my 3rd year sociology class? The one of the evils of education in the developing world? Where I got a whole boxload of books from 'John' and exclaimed that he was my friend?
My whole thing about how the power to deem knowledge should not be pooled into particular ethnocentric and positivist institutions? And that local, popular knowledge should not be discredited or devalued on the hierarchy of knowledge? And that there is an inherent danger in replacing local knowledge structures with other ones (the western, 'legitimate' ones) -you know, Development as AIDS model?
Well, you'd laugh to know that that train of thought has made me - lazy.
I think I've always been lazy. I mean you know me. Lazy and fearful. I wonder if you've ever tried to tell me this.
It's kind of like my struggle with race - I fear coming to terms with this, as it might mean having subconsciously lost. I don't want to be taken over by these institutions. But then I forget, that if I don't plunge in, I won't even have the opportunity to climb out.
We are overcomers because we have overcome something.
Now I'm a little afraid about this. Because it means that my capacity to create and control is severely stunted. But I think, it's ok. Because now that I know. I have something to work with.
And I know you will hold my hand and walk with me.
Isn't this exciting?! Imagine! You and me! By the waterfalls of the Jaintia hills, wondering.
Remember that essay I did for my 3rd year sociology class? The one of the evils of education in the developing world? Where I got a whole boxload of books from 'John' and exclaimed that he was my friend?
My whole thing about how the power to deem knowledge should not be pooled into particular ethnocentric and positivist institutions? And that local, popular knowledge should not be discredited or devalued on the hierarchy of knowledge? And that there is an inherent danger in replacing local knowledge structures with other ones (the western, 'legitimate' ones) -you know, Development as AIDS model?
Well, you'd laugh to know that that train of thought has made me - lazy.
I think I've always been lazy. I mean you know me. Lazy and fearful. I wonder if you've ever tried to tell me this.
It's kind of like my struggle with race - I fear coming to terms with this, as it might mean having subconsciously lost. I don't want to be taken over by these institutions. But then I forget, that if I don't plunge in, I won't even have the opportunity to climb out.
We are overcomers because we have overcome something.
Now I'm a little afraid about this. Because it means that my capacity to create and control is severely stunted. But I think, it's ok. Because now that I know. I have something to work with.
And I know you will hold my hand and walk with me.
Isn't this exciting?! Imagine! You and me! By the waterfalls of the Jaintia hills, wondering.
1 comment:
that train of thought is one that anthros take for granted... it's a given. it doesn't have to make you lazy. i think in many ways we *have* lost, and now is the time for recovery and rectification. sometimes i wonder what it is exactly that we control.
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