A core, overarching idea offered by hooks, is that “…any radical pedagogy must insist that everyone’s presence is acknowledged” (8). Further, hooks states that “[Students’] contributions are resources” (8).
This idea is particularly fascinating to me because, on a superficial level, it seems that it would (or, should) be common sense. Most people would probably agree with the claim that a collaborative, dynamic environment, which is encouraging of “excited” discussion, would make an ideal classroom. It is unlikely that, hypothetically, a person would openly endorse the perfect inverse: A classroom where students do not actively engage or participate with one another, and where the professor functions as an untouchable authority and all-knowing dispensary of information.
However, in practice, the classroom described by hooks is still not the standard. It is far from a universal model, in the functioning reality of education. Although many people would agree with hooks’ ideas (on a generalized, hypothetical level), it is also true that many students and educators aren’t actively driving hooks’ ideas into reality. Many do make this effort, but ultimately, hooks’ vision of the optimal classroom involves the continuous participation of all those involved. In order to drive the collaborative classroom into normalcy, students and educators alike must agree to foster such an environment; it must be an active effort, by all those involved.
I think this idea that the collaborative classroom can only be achieved through students and teachers working together is important to hook’s arguments. She rejects the assumption that a teacher who is passionate and charismatic enough can create this kind of environment on her own. Also, the quote you include at the beginning of your post reminds me of something Butler would say. I think their ideas overlap in their striving for inclusion, in feminism, and, as hooks writes, in any radical theory.
I love the idea from this text that “students contributions are resources”. As an education major who is currently in a 7th grade classroom many of my students don’t participate when questions are asked because they have been ridiculed for some of their answers in past classes and they don’t think that their input is valuable. I believe that every students inputs are valuable even if it is the wrong answer because the wrong answer can be learned from. Something that this reading has really made me think about is making sure my future students know they are valued and that their opinions and answers are not something to be ashamed of.