That discussion of "empowerment" as a term--even a deceptive one--was
really fascinating. Seems like what people who feed on pop
psychology, etc., really want is the FEELING of being in power, or
more specifically, in control of their own lives, which now starts
to sound like an empowerment-as-the-opiate-of-the-people
kind of thing. In any case, I think it's a good point that getting
an entire nation of students to feel more "empowered" really may not
have that much of an effect, since they already have the power at the
college level to go or not go to school, place themselves into this
structure, etc. (a point I've made before to those who see the whole
thing as an oppressor/oppressed relationship). Unless I misread you,
it seems that your point is that if change is needed, as many or
even most in this discussion seem to think, then surely it ought
to be both real and significant rather than merely perceptual
or even imaginary. Not everything we do to make ourselves feel that
we've fought the good fight is really very effective; sometimes it
just makes us feel good, and that's it. Is that about right?
s finley