Jean-Critical+Theory

**Critical Theory** "Critical science is concerned to reveal how patterns of behaviour and meaning are embedded in oppressive structures of domination that, potentially, are open to challenge and change" (Willmott, p. 101). The School of the Americas Watch is an organization that is dedicated to closing the School of the Americas (also known as the WHINSEC) by means of nonviolence. It is actually seeking radical change in U.S. policy in its relations with countries in the Western Hemisphere, particularly those of Latin America.
 * Example 1: School of the Americas Watch[|SOA Watch]**

The School of the Americas is an organization that claims to further democracy and human rights in the Western Hermisphere but the facts show that its graduates consistently engage in human rights violations and criminal activities. The training is conducted in Spanish by Latin American officers and paid for by U.S. tax dollars. SOA graduates have been known to participate in bombings, kidnappings, death squads, and other forms of oppression. In actuality, the SOA exists to train the militaries of Latin American countries to oppress, i.e. to manipulate, control, and/or torture, their own people in order to maintain the control of their respective governments and the hegemony of the United States.

One of the most well known activities of the SOA Watch is the annual three-day vigil to close the School of the Americas held in November at Fort Benning, Georgia. [] It is an educational and spiritual experience for people of the United States to be in solidarity with their oppressed brothers and sisters in Latin America. It is an experience of emancipation for all, even for those who choose to be arrested by committing civil disobedience by crossing the line.

[] "Critical theory is, at its center, an effort to join empirical investigation, the task of interpretations, and a critique of this reality..." (McLaren & Giarelli). Jan Gregorcich, SSND, worked in Guatemala and Honduras for twelve years and saw first hand the oppression of especially the indigenous peoples. Two of the greatest needs of the people were for potable water and the ability to cook their food without cutting down trees for firewood. Jan's brother designed a simple solar oven and taught the people how to make them and use them. The ovens freed the people from the labor intensive task of gathering firewood. When Jan returned to the United States she founded Global Partners Running Waters to build relationships between the people of the U.S. and Latin America by fostering collaboration around the areas of food, water, and health projects. These relationships foster the education and empowerment of the people, as noted in the mission statement of GPRW.
 * Example 2: Global Partners Running Waters**

Many groups and individuals here in the U.S. (including Notre Dame Middle School) have sponsored activities in order to provide a water project, a goat project, or a hen project. Jan regularly takes groups of Americans to Guatemala or Honduras for a brief immersion experience. These experiences are designed to open peoples' eyes to the realities of life in the other part of our hemisphere. The Americans have opportunities to interact with people of the country, to appreciate the beauty of their culture, and to understand the challenges of poverty. It is an opportunity for transformation of the people in both countries.

Major Jennifer Grieves is the first woman to pilot Marine One, the president's helicopter. The Marine Corps does not seem to be a shining example of a critical theory organization. For many years, all branches of the military had oppressive practices and procedures toward women, racial and ethnic minorities, and gays. But this achievement of Major Grieves seems to be an example of feminist theory. "Liberal feminism seeks to provide women and girls more opportunities in the existing system but does not seek to change that system" (Kenway and Modra in Capper, p. 376). There are those from a feminist perspective who would not be satisfied with simply gaining access to the institution but would "aim at the transformation of [the] institution" (Ferguson in Capper, p. 376).
 * Example 3: First Woman to Pilot Marine One** []

Critical Theory