Education and The Politics of Difference

Canadian Perspective. Ghosh, R., & Abdi, A. (2004). Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.

Introduction (pp. 1-12)

The authors states that equality is necessary but not sufficient in education and it should aim for empowerment of students. Giroux (1992, p. 11) refers to empowerment in education as "the ability to think and act critically" (cited on p. 3). The authors criticize the prevailing paradigm of education that claims to provide equal opportunity but not means for the attainment either in practice or through the curriculum. In particular, denouncing assimilation, the dominant educational policy of assimilation in North America, they call for a radical paradigm shift to multiculturalism, where differences are respected. They write, "To minimize those differences is to ensure the continuation of the status quo" (p. 6).

*Giroux, H. (1992). Border Crossings: Cultural Workers and the Politics of Education. New York, NY: Routledge.