From: "Brian Drake" <thedrake000-AT-hotmail.com> Subject: Free Thought is a Mindset Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 19:34:04 PST Dr. Sanchez wrote the following: "I think it is not your imagination, although I might not articulate the problem as one of mindsets and their changing. By doing so, I'd risk plugging into a way of talking about problems that ends up condoning, excusing, repeating, or ignoring them." Perhaps we are using opposing definitions of the word "mindset." I refer to the state of mind or thinking where one rationalizes condoning, excusing, repeating and ignoring oppression. I realize that this can become a double-edged sword when we consider that a person may choose a mindset to prevent change or may not be able to see a different perspective in a given mindset. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to why you believe that speaking in terms of mindsets or ways of thinking closes off alternatives in the context I have provided. It seems to me that when an individual makes a classist or racist statement that recreates material harm to another person, that presents an opportunity to engage in a discussion of why that mindset is harmful to others. Through this discussion (hopefully) one can change another's mindset toward groups of people. So I return to my original question, has the process of changing attitudes/mindsets/opinions/political views become an insurmountable task? Brian Drake Mercer University ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com --- from list postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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