If I could relate to any type of theorists, it would be the critical theorists. Critical theorists critique what we see as our objective reality, they focus on transformation, and my all time favorite, emancipation. Emancipation involves the idea of human potential and making it where everyone can achieve their own human potential. Emancipation is about releasing people from their oppression which then in turns allows people to achieve their full human potential. Critical theorists believe in the autonomy of individuals to basically be the boss of one own self. Critical theory is seen to have two goals which are to raise awareness and bring liberation. Raising awareness in a situation where people are being oppressed is to first let them know how they are being oppressed or exploited. Bringing liberation is the idea of creating a need and desire for freedom in whoever is being exploited to ultimately change their situation. What I like the most about critical theory is what actually makes it critical. Critical theory brings awareness of oppression which in turns challenges that oppression and it also focuses on resisting all forms of domination either through social status or work. The main goal for critical theory involves the idea of trying to strive for perfection which means that there is always room and need for improvement in whatever we do. However, perfection may be seen as unachievable to many people but critical theorists see it as a mark to achieve before we as individuals can truly be relaxed in what we do and how we do it.
A great example of raising awareness and resisting domination are the issue with the street vendors in Peru. These street vendors are mostly Asian women selling goods at a very cheap price to make a living. These women are involved in what’s known as the informal sector which means, they are excluded from any rights to any labor laws or working permits. These women sell goods to provide for their family and sometimes have to take children with them as they sell goods. The problem with these street vendors is the fact that they are very mistreated by their government. They are harassed by police and laws were even implemented to criminalize street vending and a minimum three month jail time had to be served which was all a part of inhibiting these women from making a living. Sometimes policemen on the street would force vendors out of their areas or make the vendors pay a “fee” that the police kept for themselves in order for the street vendors to keep from getting arrested.
There was a Santa Cruz incident where vendors were relocated so that the city could “modernize” and get rid of street vendors which ended in numerous of people hurt and killed. This then forced others to intervene and women to come together collectively to let each other know they have been oppressed and exploited by their government. They wanted the right to apply for licenses and for the price of those licenses to not be so high (which was all a plan to prevent them from obtaining them). They demanded social security for insurance, legal service for protection, and educational systems just to name a few. They were able to acquire some of their demands because they had people to open their eyes to their oppression and learn how to fight it.
A great example of raising awareness and resisting domination are the issue with the street vendors in Peru. These street vendors are mostly Asian women selling goods at a very cheap price to make a living. These women are involved in what’s known as the informal sector which means, they are excluded from any rights to any labor laws or working permits. These women sell goods to provide for their family and sometimes have to take children with them as they sell goods. The problem with these street vendors is the fact that they are very mistreated by their government. They are harassed by police and laws were even implemented to criminalize street vending and a minimum three month jail time had to be served which was all a part of inhibiting these women from making a living. Sometimes policemen on the street would force vendors out of their areas or make the vendors pay a “fee” that the police kept for themselves in order for the street vendors to keep from getting arrested.
There was a Santa Cruz incident where vendors were relocated so that the city could “modernize” and get rid of street vendors which ended in numerous of people hurt and killed. This then forced others to intervene and women to come together collectively to let each other know they have been oppressed and exploited by their government. They wanted the right to apply for licenses and for the price of those licenses to not be so high (which was all a plan to prevent them from obtaining them). They demanded social security for insurance, legal service for protection, and educational systems just to name a few. They were able to acquire some of their demands because they had people to open their eyes to their oppression and learn how to fight it.