Eugene,
I also agree with your points on critical thinking very much. I see
critical thinking - negotiation of meaning as resistance. Resistance does
not necisarily have to be negative. Resistance is often looked at as a
reaction to something, but it can be a practice itself as in your
description of negotiating meaning. But you can also have a school which
embraces community but does not have that critical component, which I saw
as cultural reproduction without resistance. At least with an oppressive
system there is a level of resistance. Of course, my preverance is the
type of resistance you described in critical thinking- negotiation of
meaning.
Nate