File spoon-archives/postcolonial.archive/postcolonial_1999/postcolonial.9902, message 178


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

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