Cynthia,
I related in my thesis and my dialectical AR tool ontology, the
science of human existence pragmatically to therapy, catharsis,
well-being and ontological security. I approach human existence
through the human-all-too-human - that transcends race, ethnicity,
gender or age - aspiration and need to lead a life of greater
fulfilment, well-being, meaning and ontological security (thesis) and
less pain, angst, insecurity, frustration, void, exclusion and
alienation (anti-thesis).
I love Fanon and have a postdoc interest in postcolonialism and
Critical Race Theory and education for democracy, equality, inclusion
and pluralism. I am working very hard now promoting my tool to fight
racism and discrimination and the understanding of their roots that I
myself regard as severe ontological insecurity, weakness and
complexities 'complexes' om the part of the racist. I came up with a
slogan to the anti- racism campaign: 'It is not you, it is me'. I
hope it highlights my view of racism as a severe case of ontological
insecurity and misery on the part of the racist. He/she needs to feel
superior and secure through discriminating the so-called
'other/different'. Of course, the more he/she does so, the more
insecure, miserable and weak he/she becomes.
I do hope you can read my thesis and relate it to your Fanon and CRT
aspired work.
I am looking forward to it. Alon
Quoting Jack Whitehead <[log in to unmask]>:
> Dear All - Cynthia is having some problems posting to the list and
> has just asked me if I would post the following message:
> 5-16-11
> Dear Jack:
>
> Thank you for keeping me included in the discussions which I feel
> are very enlightening.
> While in the midst of driving home from traffic yesterday I realized
> Alon raises an important issue concerning epistemology before
> ontology…I went back to page 64 of my dissertation D.O.O.R.S. OF
> CHANGE: CAPACITY BUILDING TO DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION (2009) which
> discusses ontology:
>
> “Four research paradigms are recognized in scientific inquiry. They
> are positivism, postpositivism, critical thinking and
> constructivism. These paradigms are classified according to
> ontology, epistemology and methodology. According to Guba (1990)
> ontology encompasses the nature of reality. Epistemology involves
> the characteristics of the relationship between the researcher and
> the item researched. Methodology refers to the manner in which the
> researcher find out knowledge (Guba, 1990).”
>
> Alon Seper’s theory is what I would label as Backwards Design Living
> Theory or Living Educational Theory which now makes sense to me. I
> plan to read Alon’s thesis and hope to further understand his
> viewpoint, which I believe I support as an African American educator
> because what do you do if the ontological beliefs of a person or
> group of people are distorted?
>
> Let me explain, I am a left-handed person. Years ago I studied the
> Arabic language which reads right to left, where the English
> language reads left to right. The right to left Arabic language
> reading seemed natural to me because I probably have left-spatial
> orientation as a left-handed person. I also studied calligraphy and
> had to for the first time use my right hand because the wet ink
> would smear if I used my left hand. (The left-handed pens did not
> work for me).
>
> So let us call ontology before epistemology the Left to Right theory
> and epistemology before ontology that Alon brings up the Backwards
> Design Living Theory or Living Educational Theory.
>
> Another way of looking at what I call the Backwards Design Living
> Theory or (BDLT or BDLET) is to examine racism and the Critical
> Race Theory (CRT). From CRT or Fanon’s theorectical perspective
> “Blackness” needs to be defined in terms of the “Black people” not
> the dominant group because the dominant group viewpoint is different
> and favors their ontological beliefs…particularly in matters of
> law. From the CRT perspective Black people are no longer viewed as
> the problem with racism. The CRT viewpoint is the problem with
> racism stems from the dominant group which needs to change their
> perspective, their legal policies and ontological beliefs to end
> racism. Therefore, you may disagree with this, however, the
> Backwards Design Living Theory or the epistemology before ontology
> theory makes sense to me.
>
> Cynthia Cozette Lee, Ed.D. 215-971-3684-cell
>
>
> Love Jack.
|