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Teaching to Transgress


Synopsis


"After reading Teaching to Transgress I am once again struck by bell hooks's never-ending, unquiet intellectual energy, an energy that makes her radical and loving." -- Paulo Freire

In Teaching to Transgress,bell hooks--writer, teacher, and insurgent black intellectual--writes about a new kind of education, education as the practice of freedom. Teaching students to "transgress" against racial, sexual, and class boundaries in order to achieve the gift of freedom is, for hooks, the teacher's most important goal.

bell hooks speaks to the heart of education today: how can we rethink teaching practices in the age of multiculturalism? What do we do about teachers who do not want to teach, and students who do not want to learn? How should we deal with racism and sexism in the classroom?

Full of passion and politics, Teaching to Transgress combines a practical knowledge of the classroom with a deeply felt connection to the world of emotions and feelings. This is the rare book about teachers and students that dares to raise questions about eros and rage, grief and reconciliation, and the future of teaching itself.

"To educate is the practice of freedom," writes bell hooks, "is a way of teaching anyone can learn." Teaching to Transgress is the record of one gifted teacher's struggle to make classrooms work.

Summary

Chapter 1: Pedagogies of Rebellion

* Summary: Introduces the concept of "rebellious pedagogy," a form of teaching that challenges dominant narratives and empowers students to question and critique the status quo.
* Example: A high school teacher uses critical race theory to analyze texts and encourage students to confront and challenge racial stereotypes.

Chapter 2: Writing Against Displacement

* Summary: Explores the transformative power of writing as a tool for resisting oppression and displacement.
* Example: A community college student uses her writing to express her experiences of discrimination and advocate for social change.

Chapter 3: Teaching Cultural Diversity

* Summary: Examines the complexities of teaching in diverse classrooms and emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing different cultures and perspectives.
* Example: A university professor incorporates a variety of cultural texts into her curriculum to expose students to different ways of knowing and being.

Chapter 4: Towards a Feminist Pedagogy

* Summary: Argues for a feminist approach to teaching that empowers women and challenges patriarchal structures.
* Example: A middle school teacher creates a safe and supportive environment for girls to explore their identities and develop critical thinking skills.

Chapter 5: Teaching with Tears

* Summary: Examines the role of emotions in the teaching process and argues that it is important to acknowledge and process the emotions that arise in classrooms.
* Example: A teacher shares her own experiences as a survivor of sexual assault to help her students understand the impact of trauma and build resilience.

Chapter 6: Politics of Labor

* Summary: Explores the intersection of education and labor and encourages teachers to critically examine their role in reproducing social inequalities.
* Example: A unionized university professor organizes her students to advocate for better working conditions for adjunct faculty.

Chapter 7: Pedagogies of Survivance

* Summary: Introduces the concept of "survivance" as a form of resistance to colonization and genocide and discusses how it can inform pedagogical practices.
* Example: An Indigenous teacher incorporates traditional knowledge and storytelling into her lessons to empower her students and preserve their cultural heritage.

Chapter 8: Transgressive Education

* Summary: Calls for a radical transformation of the education system that challenges capitalism, imperialism, and white supremacy.
* Example: A community-based organization offers free education programs that focus on critical thinking, social justice, and self-determination.

Chapter 9: The Power of Public Intellectuals

* Summary: Examines the role of intellectuals in society and encourages teachers to use their platforms to speak out on social and political issues.
* Example: A university professor uses his research to advocate for policies that address poverty and inequality.

Chapter 10: Making Trouble

* Summary: Concludes the book by emphasizing the importance of ongoing struggle and resistance in the face of oppression and inequality.
* Example: A group of students organize a protest against police brutality and demand greater accountability from their local government.