How does Kumashiro define ‘commonsense?’ Why is it so important to pay attention to the ‘commonsense’?
Kumashiro defines ‘commonsense’ as something that we assume everyone should know, or a facet of life that we take for granted as being a given/the status quo. According to Kumashiro, it can offer a sense of content and ease as we find comfort in familiarity and repetition. However, it can also allow for us (directly or indirectly) to either engage in oppressive behavior or to passively allow this type of behavior to continue. It can be hard to break habits, as we are leaving that sense of comfort when doing so, but it is important to be self-aware and to recognize these types of behavior.
Common sense makes it super easy to just continue to stick with our habits and teach in ways that we have been taught are traditional. This comes with the idea that schools are meant to be neutral and not to challenge the status-quo. When we do this, however, we allow oppressive behaviors to continue to play out (whether we notice them directly or not). This is why it is so important to pay attention to ‘commonsense’ and to make sure we are addressing oppressive behaviors and actions, as well as challenging stereotypes and injustices that we see (and the things/beliefs that allow these actions to play out). Taking no action against oppressive behavior is just as bad as acting in ways that are unjust and oppressive, as we allow the behavior to continue and we don’t teach our children/students any better (they may not see the problem with this behavior or they may follow the lead of their teachers and also not stand up to things they see as unjust, continuing the cycle).