How does Kumashiro define “commonsense?”

In the article, Kumashiro defines commonsense as a collective process of thinking that is subconsciously taking place as one goes about their life. In his specific case, the difference between the schooling systems in the United States when compared to Nepal are drastically different, along with the sense of commonality for those living in either country. As the author grew up in the US, his sense of how schools are organised and the actual experience that students take away is very diverse compared to those who they are teaching. This embedded ideology that she has poses as a challenge for them to teach, as “the American way” that is familiar to them does not conform with the principles of the “Nepali way” of education. The author states that commonsense is formed through routine, and is associated with a sense of comfort, and this creates norms. Overall, his definition of commonsense is that is a normality that is formed through experience and routine and can be easily overlooked when put into a foreign environment.

 

Why is it so important to pay attention to the “commonsense?”

It is important to pay attention to commonsense as since it is created by routine, which in turn creates norms, it can influence societies to form an oppressive culture. Kumashiro goes into detail about how oppression in schools is a commonsense, by allowing it to happen and not realizing. Commonsense allows people to become familiar with oppression, and without looking for ways to counter the normalities that society creates, there will always be oppression within school communities. The commonsense needs to shift from the mentality of diversity being a drawback to being advantageous into development. Essentially, what makes commonsense so important is that since there is no way around its practice, it must be addressed to ensure it does not create oppression and is rather utilized to constantly break out of negative forms of repetition.