Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” Chapter 1

I am going to start with WOW. I had to read certain lines in chapter one a few times more than once to try and understand what was being said. And I still don’t fully understand much. The knowledge that there are people in society who are being dehumanized and oppressed is not new information, therefore, this article gives a more deeply examination of oppression. This article can be beneficial to me, and other teacher candidates because, if I have gained some understanding correctly, the idea of oppressors/oppressed/and those supporting the oppressors can relate to the status in education of teachers/students/and “experts” on school standards.
 Dehumanization of all people is the focus of Freire’s theory. My understanding is that oppressors have lost their humanity because they have lost their compassion, and understanding. Also those in control do not want to alter the functions of society, possibly because they don’t want to chance losing their oppressive position. Footnote #3 states, “The oppressed are afraid to embrace freedom; the oppressors are afraid of losing the "freedom" to oppress”. I believe this is portraying that all people are relying on the status quo.
Although the article does not specifically describe human nature interactions in the world, my understanding is that there would be three types when referring to oppression. The oppressed are those whom are taken advantage of, the oppressors are those who are taking advantage and then thirdly are those who are in a position to support for the oppressed.

I don’t believe it follows that exact break down of human nature, but I do believe that education could be a reliable example of the three types.  It seems as though the students are to continue to rely on what the teachers teach to them, and the teachers seem to rely on what the state standards voice to be appropriate instruction for all students.