In Kumashiro’s introduction entitled, “The Problem of Common Sense”, he deconstructs the idea of common sense, and how in schools we can turn this analysis into anti-oppressive education. Kumashiro uses the term commonsense to refer to what is “traditional” and what “everyone should know” and he explains that instead of using this “norm” to shape our curriculum, it should be “examined and challenged” to understand who this norm is privileging and who it is oppressing. It is so important to deconstruct and reform what we think is common sense because it is limiting, and as Kumashiro said, “common sense often makes it easy to continue teaching and learning in ways that allow the oppressions already in play to continue to play out unchallenged in our school and society”. These norms that we see in schools marginalize certain races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, religions, disabilities, languages, and ages and also mirror what occurs in our society. If we want to create a classroom space in which ALL of our students feel valued, safe, and welcomed, and in turn, create a more socially just world, we need to critically examine these ways of thinking, knowing, and doing.
Even during this process where I am breaking down my own ideas of “commonsense”, I recognize that many of these ideas stem from how I was educated and raised and that many 0f these ideas are deeply engrained in the way I think and go so much deeper than just structure and subject area. I think it is very important for me to critically analyze why these are the ideas that I have, where they stem from, and who they benefit and to take it further as an educator, how these very same ideas could be detrimental to the students that I teach.
I recognize that I grew up in a white, middle class family that deeply values education and because of this, I benefitted from some of the very systems that I now hope to help reform. While many of the educational practices used in my past were effective for me, I can recognize how that is rooted in the privilege that I have, and these same methods and ways of thinking and learning may not be best for others.