Aspiration Quote by Paulo Freire
“At a certain point in their existential experience, the oppressed feel an irresistible attraction toward the oppressor and his way of life. Sharing this way of life becomes an overpowering aspiration.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1970
Describes how the oppressed may idealize the oppressor’s lifestyle, leading to a desire to emulate it.
In simple terms: Oppressed may idolize oppressor.
Key Takeaway
Beware of false aspirations.
Themes
power dynamics
identity
social psychology
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education reform
- activist training
- self‑reflection workshops
Key Concepts
internalized oppression
aspiration
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes admire those who dominate us?
- How can we cultivate authentic self‑identity?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated attractions is challenging.
![“[Humans'] capacity to intervene, to compare, to judge, to decide, to choose, to desist makes them capable of acts of greatness, of dignity, and, at the same time, of the unthinkable in terms of indignity.” quote by Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e6/paulo-freire-1551_capable_humans-capacity-to-intervene-to-compare_103884.jpg)
![“One of the great crimes of the Bloomberg/Klein administration [in New York City] is that they've removed themselves from communities, as if communities have nothing to say about what their needs and aspirations are for themselves and for their children.” quote by Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfb/bill-ayers-1848_administration_one-of-the-great-crimes-of-the-bloomberg_36172.jpg)
