Ruminations on Hope

The College World Reporter

September 2010

Ruminations on Hope

By Dr. Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

 

         Sometimes working for equity and justice is hard work. Well, there are a lot of times it is difficult. There are times when students dislike what I am saying, there are times when I am personally attacked, and there are times when I have to prove on the front end that my thoughts and work are valid, while others have that privilege from the onset. During these times I try to remember the importance of hope. 

          The recent few years have been marked by a discourse, spirit, and politics of hope. This spur was in part brought on by the elocutions of hope in President Obama’s recent election. Aided through Obama’s speeches, hope had transcended its lexical status, to an inculcation of a spirit that enraptured multiple generations of people from various socio-cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Ruminations on hope were evident in his book, The Audacity of Hope, to the Barack Obama “Hope” Poster, and to Oprah Winfrey’s “it feels like hope won” sentiment upon Obama being elected. Obama’s pan-political use of “hope” became a form of linguistic currency used to forge the minds and actions of reinvigorated citizens. Hope is being explored in a new and revitalized way that includes an authentic dimension of thinking and acting with regards to hope, or a hope neo-act. However, while many feel uplifted by the essence of Obama’s “hope,” his presidency has been and continues to be marred by racist discourse and semiotics. 

          Parallel to the resurged status of hope is the upsurge of overt incivility imbued with insensitivity, racism, and disrespect aimed at our President. A few examples of this incivility include, a congressman openly accusing President Obama of being a liar during a joint session of Congress, grotesque cartoon depictions of his family as monkeys, racist tirades aimed at his religious beliefs and Arabic name, or unfounded questions regarding his origin of birth. Regardless of the abundance of incivility, the erudition of hope as a keystone of Obama’s campaign was operationalized as a powerful tool to join people under a common goal. The ability of his campaign to operationalize hope was a forceful example of hope and action working in tandem. Heralding hope amidst incivility is not only fruitful for the progressive politician, but also for the progressive educator. 

          Obama’s campaign and election were not the first time that hope had been used as a conduit to motivate a collective consciousness. In educational theory, Paulo Freire used the concept of hope to underlie his thoughts on the task of the progressive educator. As Freire (1999) stated:

One of the tasks of the progressive educator…is to unveil opportunities for hope, no matter what the obstacles may be. After all, without hope there is little we can do. For hope is an ontological need…the attempt to do without hope in the struggle to improve the world, as if that struggle could be reduced to calculated acts alone, or a purely scientific approach, is a frivolous illusion (p. 9).

Freire believed that without hope, we are hopeless and cannot begin the struggle to change as hope is based on the need for truth as an ethical quality of the struggle. During times of trouble and forlorn, I remember that hope is an ontological need; something that my being needs. Today, I have hope. And tomorrow I will too. 

Reference: 

Freire, P. (1999). Pedagogy of hope: Reliving pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, 

          NY: Continuum Publishing. 

About Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.: Before joining the faculty at New Mexico State University, Dr. Osanloo received her doctorate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program, specializing in the Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at Arizona State University. Her research addressed civic education in a post 9/11 climate focusing on the concepts of democracy, cosmopolitanism, xenophobia, and citizenship from theory to praxis. Prior to being in Arizona Dr. Osanloo taught in the New York City public schools working primarily with junior high school students in the South Bronx and jointly was a program director at the Harlem Educational Activities Fund – a not-for-profit that specialized in closing the gap between educational attainment and disenfranchised students. In general, her research agenda focuses on issues of educational equity, educational leadership and policy, the philosophical foundations of education, issues of race, class, and gender in education, diversity, multiculturalism, and social egalitarianism. 

Contact Information:

Email:  Azadeh@CWRMagOnline.com

Blog:   CWRArabAmerica.WordPress.com

On the Verge of Losing Humanity

By Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

 

The nine-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is right around the corner. As a resident of Ground Zero during the attacks, the day is always an emotional one for me, fraught with images, tastes, and smells that have left an indelible mark on my brain. I will never forget the fallen skeletons of the once iconic twin towers. Their smoldering masses sitting amongst the showering of dust and debris as people fled for their lives and mourned their loved ones. The truth is, while I left New York City many years ago, there is a piece of my heart that will always remain staunchly and lovingly there. 

The anniversary, remembrance, and celebration of heroes of this year will be marred by polemical discussions about the construction of an Islamic community center near the Ground Zero site. For sake of clarity, it is important to note, contrary to the information purported by the anti-Muslim conservative movement, there is no mosque being built over the sacred ground of the Twin Towers. The truth is much more gentle: Conceived by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is globally known for his interfaith work, the center is being created under the auspicious mission of spreading religious understanding and tolerance, and will provide a swimming pool, auditorium, restaurants, and other spaces open to the community. It is being built two blocks from the Ground Zero site. 

Those fighting against the Islamic Center have cloaked themselves in patriotism, however there is nothing patriotic about intolerance and denying religious freedom. This sort of anti-Muslim religionism is eerily reminiscent of the anti-Semitism of Hitler’s regime and is divisive and irresponsible. Gross generalizations and hatred often go hand-in-hand, and they are a dangerous pairing. It is wrong to vilify, terrify, and harass an entire group of people for the actions of a small group. I can’t help but think the Catholic Church harbored pedophiles and child molesters behind its clandestine walls for years while dishonoring the memories and truths of thousands of victims. Imagine if another Catholic Church was never to be built on U.S. soil. Does it make sense to lump together the entire organization for the actions of some? Or rather, does it make sense to unify under religious freedom and true patriotic spirit so we may rise from the ashes stronger? 

The devastating acts of September 11th, 2001, called upon the residents of New York City to unify under an umbrella of fortitude and sanguinity. At a time when languishing in the terror of the events would have seemed customary, the city and its people rose upon their feet and stabilized themselves. Safe, caring environments that were provided in the aftermath of September 11th in and around Manhattan mirrored the spirit of humanity. Without this progressive-mindedness, the city of New York would have atrophied amidst the terror. 

Humanity and selflessness captured the spirit of all New Yorkers. City dwellers rose amidst the ash and worked side by side regardless of race, religion or gender, devoted to helping one another and to rebuilding the decimated cityscape. The national reaction to the events was visceral, and a tangible lump welled in the throats of many Americans. No one was on the periphery; the periphery ceased to exist. Individuals were beckoned to think, about themselves, their country, and the befallen scions of the city. 

Where is that humanity and dignity today? This is a wonderfully diverse country founded on the cardinal principles of religious freedom and tolerance. It is important that we stand united in support of these founding principles, and not proliferate hatred, fear, and intolerance. Generations upon generations of Americans have fought to protect our right to religious freedom; it is for those heroes and the heroes of 9/11 that we do not forget that. It is our duty to not forget. As NYC Mayor Bloomberg so eloquently said in reference to the victims of 9/11, “We do not honor their lives by denying the very Constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights – and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.” 

About Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.: Before joining the faculty at New Mexico State University, Dr. Osanloo received her doctorate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program, specializing in the Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at Arizona State University. Her research addressed civic education in a post 9/11 climate focusing on the concepts of democracy, cosmopolitanism, xenophobia, and citizenship from theory to praxis. Prior to being in Arizona Dr. Osanloo taught in the New York City public schools working primarily with junior high school students in the South Bronx and jointly was a program director at the Harlem Educational Activities Fund – a not-for-profit that specialized in closing the gap between educational attainment and disenfranchised students. In general, her research agenda focuses on issues of educational equity, educational leadership and policy, the philosophical foundations of education, issues of race, class, and gender in education, diversity, multiculturalism, and social egalitarianism.

NAACP vs Tea Party – By Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) recently passed a declaration stating that the Tea Party movement tolerates open racism in its midst. NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous stated to CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer, “We’re simply asking them to repudiate racist acts and bigotry in their ranks or accept responsibility.” You might be asking yourself right about now, what racist acts has the Tea Party openly committed. Well, to name a few (yes, just a few): 

• Conservative radio host and recurring Tea Party Express spokesperson, Mark Williams, recently penned an offensive and ill-conceived satirical letter supposedly from NAACP President Jealous to former President of the United States Abraham Lincoln. In it, his letter stated:

 

“Perhaps the most racist point of all in the tea parties is their demand that government ‘stop raising our taxes.’  That is outrageous!  How will we       Colored People ever get a wide screen TV in every room if non-coloreds get to keep what they earn?  Totally racist!  The tea party expects coloreds to be productive members of society?

Mr. Lincoln, you were the greatest racist ever.  We had a great gig.  Three squares, room and board, all our decisions made by the massa in the house.  Please repeal the 13th and 14th Amendments and let us get back to where we belong.”

• Tea Party Activists repeatedly hold signs at rallies depicting President Obama as a witch doctor and Kenyan-born socialist. Let’s also not forget the litany of racist epithets Tea Party activists and protestors against healthcare reform hurled at three Black Democratic Congressman in favor of the reform. 

 

• In Iowa, a billboard erected by the Tea Party group compared President Obama to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and communist leader Lenin. Beneath the pictures of  Obama, Hitler, and Lenin read “Democratic Socialism,” ”National Socialism,” and “Marxist Socialism.”  Beneath the pictures and captions the slogan read: “Radical leaders prey on the fearful & naive.”

 

Inane name-calling and racial slurs, xenophobic satirical blogs, and egregious discrimination do not point to false imputations of racism, but rather clearly define some racially motivated agendas amidst the Tea Party. Is every member of the Tea Party a racist or bigot? No. Should the racism and bigotry that is clearly evident in the Tea Party be tolerated? No.

As a child I was always told, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” While the words themselves may not hurt, the vitriolic inspired hatred they spawn may actually hurt, or far worse. Hate is contagious. People should not be emboldened by hatred. They should be emboldened by the great and vast differences present among us all.