Hegemony, "Matrimony" and Ed Reform Resistance

It takes some of us longer than others to realize our norms aren't working, especially if we're someone who is benefiting from perpetuating them. I liken continued membership in certain education unions and professional organizations to being in an abusive marriage. Sure, the partner provides, but how much of their crud is one willing to put up with? How many instances must reveal how the domineering party truly values the other partner until a change is made? At what time does having a roof over one's head, a place to go to be with sometimes like-minded partners, become so untenable that one is moved to take a risk and leave the power mongers to their own devises? Knowledge of a shrinking base of influence and diminishing transparency might not be enough to help some see it's time to leave. A dominant partner who endorses entrenchments without consulting their spouse or lover can be shrugged off. But for so long.

"Baby, I thought we could make it work.,
but then you endorsed Hillary and acted like I supported the decision." 

Eventually, one has to see the relationship for what it is. Escape is hard, but it might be the only answer. And things might not get better in the new set of circumstances, at least not as quickly as one might like.  Educators, teacher educators and those coming around to the education reform resistance need to note political endorsements, shrinking inner circles, and obstinance on behalf of unions and professional organizations to fully engage in radical change regarding eupraxis and education policy. They need to see that the hegemony is a matrimony, and a trial separation -- and maybe even a divorce -- is what is needed to live realized. New forms and new orders are what is needed to live healthily in education. 

To see more about hegemony and education reform and resistance, please click *here* to read a a  text recently delivered at  BAT event.  "Reflections on Hegemony & Revolution: A Conflicting Narrative of Hope and Skepticism" is a powerful read. 

Change is hard. We know many people choose to stay in relationships with an imbalance of power, and we know escape is not without its consequences. As someone who has left his last two teaching positions of his own volition upon realizing abuses I was unable to alter or abide and who now finds himself thrust to the margins of education discourse, I have a personal understanding of these facts. But it is time for members of entrenched education "support" institutions to decide if their partnerships are working.