Mostly I agree with you depicting of mainstream institutions (sorry, but I'd
include credit unions in the same range as banks unless you have an
exceptional case). It's a good question if in the totality of body and mind
oppressing institutions where can be safe heavens. I think there can.
>Eugene - in what ways have you experienced
>institutions as a positive space, "breathing freely", as 't'were? I guess
>I understand institutions as replicas of a specific class oppression
system.
Let me give examples. I have experienced "breathing freely" in many
participants and myself in an innovative public school in Utah that is run
by parents, teachers, and kids (OC). Last year I felt the same
participating in organizing the 5th Dim at Santa Cruz. The project has been
run by UCSC instructors and faculty, local community center, grad students,
undergrads, and kids. Here, in Delaware, I saw private parent-teacher
cooperative that seems to have similar features.
What do I mean by "breathing freely". I guess participants' collaboration
on goal development supported by the institutional structures. Shared
ownership of problems, affiliation by participation... What else?... Respect
and mutuality in problem solving...
Of course, there were "holes" and germs of oppression in these institutions
but I think it was good because it means that they are connected to a bigger
society... May be just, positive thinking...
Eugene