Some additional thoughts on Giroux et al

First, I feel like I might need to explain why I try to respond in some manner to everyone’s blog. I can not be in class on Thursdays because I teach EDC 503 at URI at the same time on the same night. Since I can not be part of the in-class conversation I wanted to engage your thoughts in this space.

Second, I’d like to take a minute to try in synthesize (in only one possible way) some of the common questions or issues that saw across the entries on “The need for cultural studies”.

I think each blog dealt with the idea of resisting intellectuals and what this might entail. Questions were also raised about moving resistance beyond the disciplines or the classroom. I have been thinking about this a great deal before this class because I have struggled with where to place my energies as I fight social injustices.

In my case I am torn between the contradictions of being a neo-marxist/post-marxist (I’m still not positive of the difference) and living in a capitalist society and providing for my family. AM I certain that all of the products I purchase are produced by humans who are not exploited? No, in fact I am certain that my consumer habits contribute to exploitation. Does that mean that I am as complicit as the capitalist who has the power to exploit labor-power? I don’t think so, they own the means of production and have access to political power which reproduces the conditions needed for the accumulation of capital.

Do I benefit from a patriarchal, white supremacist, able-bodied culture which values heterosexuality and property ownership? Yes. Does that mean that I will purposefully work to ensure its continued existence? No, I resist in my daily life in many ways. Sometimes I don’t resist when I should other times I don’t recognize the opportunity until it has passed.

One of the blogs on “the need for cultural studies” asked what does it mean to engage in projects which create oppositional public spheres and challenge social injustices. I will take a stab at providing some examples from my life:

• I would like to support radical leftists for public office but there are no candidates. So rather than disengaging from the political process I support that that begin t challenge the status quo. I hope that by supporting (and working for them) I can contribute to a general move away from the neoliberal/neoconservative/New Right/conservative restoration taking place in the US.
  
• I would like to engage in a type of education which is very different from the standards-based textbook driven curriculum. My need to maintain an income requires that I modify my practice somewhat. Still, I find the cracks and crevices in the system which allow me to challenge it and allows me the space to provide opportunities for my students to consider alternatives to the present conditions.
  
• I would like to make sure that I never enter into a financial transaction which exploits others. This is not possible in a capitalist system. So I am left with two basic alternatives – completely aabandon society and not purchase any goods or services which are produced within capitalism – or make choices which limit exploitation whenever possible (not whenever convenient)
  
• There are other ways of resisting, simple everyday ways. Recognizing that my neighbors and colleagues are suffering under the capitalist system helps me have patience when they act in ways that may cause me to become angry. This does not excuse their actions rather it gives me an opportunity to provide compassion which may be lacking in their lives (because we are all stricken by oppression we suffer and find it difficult to be compassionate). By doing so we develop positive relationships which lead to conversations which give me a chance (eventually) to help them find ways of understanding their oppression.
  
• I resist when I question the media or challenge oppressive and exploitative actions of family, colleagues, and friends.

Do I take advantage of every opportunity to resist? No but there are plenty of opportunities for resistance inside and outside of the academy try not to let them pass us by.