"The task of progressive men and women is helping the development of that dream of world change, as well as its realization, be it in a systematic or nonsystematic manner; be it at school, as a math, biology, history, philosophy, or language teacher; be it at home, as father or as mother dealing with sons and daughters; or be it in relationships with business associates. That is the task of men and women who not only speak of democracy but also live it, always seeking to make it better and better.
If we are progressives, and indeed open to the other, we must make an effort, humbly so, to narrow the distance between what we say and what we do as much as possible.
We cannot speak to our children, or in their presence, about a better world, one less unjust, more human, while we exploit those who work for us. At times, we may even pay better wages, but we can still fall for the old song of, 'reality is what it is, and I cannot save the world by myself.'
It is important to give testimony to our children that it is possible to be consistent, and even more, that being consistent is the final stage of our being whole. After all, being consistent is not a favor we do others, but rather an ethical manner of behaving. Thus, we must not be consistent hoping to be compensated, praised, or applauded.
Not always easy to achieve, consistency educates one's will, a fundamental faculty in our moving about the world. It is difficult to make decisions with a weakened will -- without direction we cannot opt for one thing or another; we cannot break away."
-- Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of Indignation, Paradigm Publishers, Boulder, Colorado, 2004: pp. 20-1.
