Paulo Freire Quotes about Violence

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Every relationship of domination, of exploitation, of oppression is by definition violent, whether or not the violence is expressed by drastic means. In such a relationship, dominator and dominated alike are reduced to

Every relationship of domination, of exploitation, of oppression is by definition violent, whether or not the violence is expressed by drastic means. In such a relationship, dominator and dominated alike are reduced to things- the former dehumanized by an excess of power, the latter by a lack of it. And things cannot love.

Paulo Freire

Mean, Violence, Excess

Paulo Freire (2013). “Education for Critical Consciousness”, p.17, Bloomsbury Publishing

With the establishment of a relationship of oppression, violence has already begun. Never in history has violence been initiated by the oppressed. How could they be the initiators, if they themselves are the result of violence? How could they be the sponsors of something objective whose objective inauguration called forth their existence as oppressed? There would be no oppressed had there been no prior of violence to establish their subjugation.

Paulo Freire

Would Be, Violence, Oppression

Paulo Freire (2014). “Pedagogy of the Oppressed: 30th Anniversary Edition”, p.55, Bloomsbury Publishing USA