Reading 1: Paulo Freire, Closed Society and Democratic Inexperience
1. A country may face a split from various factors and here Freire focuses on the Brazilian power structures that caused the country of Brazil to split for a while. The anti-democratic society is what served as the starting point to change and form Brazil into a new society but it caused a rift between the those who wanted to colonize Brazil and the cultures that currently resided in Brazil.
2. Dialogue is important for democracy because without each voice and perspective being heard or sought out then change in the right direction will not happen. Creating the 'open area' for this dialogue is important so the many voices are able to be heard and no one is shut out when considering various changes to whatever it is the people are wanting to change. Creating these open areas can happen within the community and in common life events and with all people. I like what Freire said about open areas in that "it requires at least a minimum of transitive consciousness, which cannot develop under the closed conditions of a large estate". Open areas are meant for anyone and everyone within the community to voice their thoughts. One example from my every day life in which these open areas are created would be my work meetings that happen once a month. Each month my co-workers, managers, and I will get together outside to discuss any changes we feel should be put in place and upcoming promotions. This way everyone is on a level playing field and everyone can be heard and problems can be addressed in the proper way.
3. I think artists can assist others in opening dialogues for democracy and inclusion by being inclusive in their artwork and their concepts that they choose to explore and create from. I think it is important for us artists to remember that we are able to communicate so much through our artwork and communication can be a powerful tool to help open these dialogues for people to get talking and for other voices to be heard.
4. One quote from the reading that stood out to me and made me think was "Herein lie the roots of Brazilian "mutism"; societies which are denied dialogue in favor of decrees become predominantly 'silent'". Silence is still a response that should be considered.