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In addition to the 3 levels or stages just discussed, Freire describes another level,
which he calls ‘fanatic awareness’. This is a step beyond naive awareness, but off
the main track of development toward critical awareness.
4. Fanatic awareness- Fanatic means extreme beyond reason. A
fanatically aware person (or group of persons) rejects completely those in
power and everything they represent, without trying to separate the good
from the bad. At the same time, ne often ‘custom to the traditional customs,
dress, and beliefs, but in an exaggerated form. Whereas the outlook of
persons with critical awareness is mostly positive, that of fanatics is often
destructive. Their opinions tend to be rigid, not flexible. Their actions seem
to result more from hatred than from understanding. Rather than learning
and communicating with others as equals, they tend to repeat the standard
radical doctrines of their popular, yet powerful, leaders.
Persons at a fanatic level of awareness are not self-critical, independent
thinkers as are those with critical awareness. They are captive to the ideas
of their power-hungry leaders. In some ways, they are still servants and
products o* the social system against which they rebel. If and when they
succeed in overthrowing the social order, the new system they set up may in
some ways be as rigid and unjust as the old system it replaces. For all this,
the fanatic is closer to critical awareness than someone in the naive stage
and, if given the right short cut, may reach it sooner.
In truth, of course, no one is wholly at one stage of awareness or another. Many
of us are fatalistic about some things, naive about others, critically aware about
others-and at times a bit fanatic. Still, to reflect on these stages can be useful.
HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP CRITICAL AWARENESS
Many leaders for social change feel that critical awareness is not only
necessary for community development, but that it should be the primary goal
of development. Only when people understand the human causes of their
misfortunes and recognize their own capacity for positive action, will important
changes take place.
There are various ways to help people
become aware of their own ability to
understand and change the situation
in which they live. These include using
teaching methods and aids that help
persons learn through exploration,
discovery, and practice in solving real-
life problems. (Most of the methods and
ideas in this book are aimed at helping
develop critical awareness.)
But the most important thing is for
instructors or group leaders to treat
people as equals, respect their ideas, and
encourage them to question and criticize
openly.
Teaching methods either block ot help
build a person’s ability to observe and
find answers for herself.