Developing critical consciousness
Critical consciousness requires us to notice and resist the unconscious biases and hidden curriculum (unspoken values and rules) that privilege some and exclude others,
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Taking action
Taking action
Conscientisation is becoming aware of the part I play in keeping things the same. How I support the status quo, how I perpetrate that. And becoming very conscious of how and why I am doing that and what are the implications of my actions.
… Conscientisation may make me aware but if I’m not going to do anything with that thinking, I’m of very little help to Māori students. Resistance is the “doing” following the disruption to my practice on account of the conscientisation.
What is critical consciousness?
What is critical consciousness?
Critical consciousness involves:
- reflecting critically on the imbalance of power and resources in society
- taking critical action in the pursuit of equity
- disrupting the status quo to address oppression and strengthen equity.
A personal journey
A personal journey
I always ask those who tell me they don’t have any or many Māori students in their classrooms,
“Who do you think should learn most about white privilege? Your Māori children or your Pākehā children?”
Dr Ann Milne
Decolonising education
Decolonising education
Engage in a critically conscious curriculum both for yourself and for your students.
Closed Captions
Reflective questions
Reflective questions
Critical questioning opens up our thinking. It helps us make the invisible visible, things like power, control, and privilege.
Consider the following questions. Discuss your responses as a team.
Unteach Racism aims to support kaiako, in a staged approach, to identify, confront and dismantle racism in education.
- What have I been doing unconsciously that I need to unlearn or that I need to undo, so that I can be sure that I am supporting Māori students to succeed as Māori?
- What are the things that I need to do differently?
- What can I do in order to disrupt the status quo?
Source: Adapted from Poutama Pounamu: Drawing from critical theories (opens in a new tab/window)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Lessons from a Recovering Racist | Andrew Judd | TEDxRuakura
Andrew Judd takes us on his personal journey of questioning his long-held beliefs and the attitudes that surround him. Serving on the District Council for New Plymouth, and eventually as Mayor, Andrew was finally put in a position to act as a bridge between the indigenous Māori constituents of his district and the white European majority. But the work he embarked upon had to start with himself and his own attitudes and prejudices.
Publisher: TED Conferences
Land of the Long White Cloud | Episode 4 – Pākehā Paralysis | RNZ
Alex Hotere-Barnes reflects on how white New Zealanders overcome feelings of guilt, in order to take positive action against racism in Aotearoa.
Publisher: Radio New Zealand
Poutama Pounamu: Drawing from critical theories
Read time: 2 min
An introduction to critical consciousness and and conscientisation.
Publisher: Poutama Pounamu
Download PDF
Next steps
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Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Developing cultural capabilityShow suggestions for Developing cultural capability
- Upholding rights
- Promoting kaupapa Māori
- Developing critical consciousness
- Leading inclusive practice
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Explore Māori perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Māori perspectives on inclusion
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Know your Māori learnersShow suggestions for Know your Māori learners
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Establish reciprocal relationshipsShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Co-design a culturally sustaining environmentShow suggestions for Co-design a culturally sustaining environment
