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Joe, Hope, and Critical Space
Like all who have posted about Joe, I, too, have experienced a range of emotions these past couple weeks: shock, grief, sadness. But, more recently, reactive emotions have given way to a timeless, critical ideal: hope.
Spreading hope was Joe’s thing. By expanding the field of critical pedagogy, he supported individuals to secure publishing contracts. But, much further, he supported the expansion of a discourse. He created “space” not just for himself, but for all who think critically about our world and the manner in which it has been constructed to benefit so few, while marginalizing so many. Joe’s tireless career wasn’t fueled by self-aggrandizing narcissism. The man wanted to end human suffering—that’s why he studied, wrote, and taught. Not only did Joe further that cause, and help to alleviate human suffering around the world, he brilliantly set the table for us to maintain and sustain that struggle.
So, will we—his students, colleagues, and friends—evolve by expanding on that critical space? Or, is Joe’s work “finished?” Will we speak of Joe as someone who did, or will we speak of ourselves as people who are doing. Will Joe’s commitment to critical pedagogy leave this world simply because his body is not here with us? Or, will his spirit and memory move us to continue the expansion of critical space, and further alleviate the needless suffering of humans on earth?
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There’s a link to a recent Ani DiFranco interview posted below. For those of you who don’t know her, Ani is a hyper-political, far-left-minded American songwriter. She’s famous for condemning corporate greed, and the “lesser of two evils” political structure in the U.S. (Joe mentions Ani in his writing on more than one occasion.)
I saw her perform this song in Syracuse shortly after the election. Her message resonated with me, with how I am feeling about the political landscape. As Joe and I agreed just weeks before the election, Barack may not be an ideal candidate for critical pedagogues, but he does represent a fundamental shift. Without question, Barack represents a move toward democracy, and away from the old boy neoliberal recovery movement of the past 30 years. In talking about Barack’s election, Joe and I were hopeful—a bit tentative, perhaps, but very hopeful.
Hope, music, and the celebration of critical space—that’s what I’ve got for Joe, and what he gave to so many.
Peace on earth.
Dave
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dave—perfect posting.
dave—perfect posting. . .critical space. . .the table set. . .ours to expand, this critical space. . .in his name. . .with his name. . .in the name of all. . .with the name of all. . .thanks—paul thomas
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