Theory in the Making: A Need for a Breakthrough of Academic Theory
If we each have our own theories, how can we enable theory through an individual level and break free from complex academic theory?
Too often in the academic environment, theory is used to justify elitist thinking. Only those who pursue higher-education and whose work is considered legitimate and scholarly, can be recognized as theory. Consequently, not very many writers, even if they are well-educated and experts in their field, will be considered for their work to be published and open to research. Why is this? Typically, researchers, writers, historians, anthropologists, scientists, you name it, anyone involved in academia, are required that their work be sophisticated, original, and hypothetical. However, work published according to the highest of academic standards is often non-relatable, difficult to understand, and difficult to implement into reality without complications, as Bell Hooks says, “They use it to set up unnecessary and competing hierarchies of thought which re-inscribe the politics of domination” Academic theory is often difficult to implement into practice because of these reasons and because academic theory does not incorporate personal, lived experiences.
If academic theory were to incorporate feminist theory, that is through lived experiences, it would be easier to create action and allow for the liberation, as Bell Hooks mentions, liberation from patriarchy and oppressive structures.
At a personal level, I can say with assurance that when I am in lecture and a professor discusses relatable issues, or their own personal experiences and how they connect back to material we are learning, I am able to engage more in discussion and gain a greater understanding of the importance of the material, not only that but I feel encouraged and inclined to apply it to my personal life and experiences. Similarly, with theory, it indeed must connect to society at individual levels, because in one way or another, as humans, everyone is affected by oppressive systems whether they recognize it or not, and whether they acknowledge it or not. Creating theory through lived experiences allows individuals to have that connection and feel that it applies to them, which would in turn, motivate them to act on their theories.
Applying theory to practice can be incorporated into any situation, essentially, theory (thoughts and ideology) should match up with our reality and our actions. This is true for any phenomenon, but often cognitive dissonance occurs because our words do not correspond with our actions. Michel Foucault mentions that what is important is that we practice ontological harmony. It is of vital importance that our words are in harmony with our actions in order that we feel a connection to our theory and that enables us to act out on our thoughts, liberating us of cognitive dissonance.
Bell Hooks also details how connecting lived experiences to theory allows for liberation of systems of oppression. Creating theory enables individuals to have a safe space to discuss their reasons for hurting and enable a healing process through expression, critical thinking, and putting theory into practice. Thus, in reality, anyone can create theory, not simply those with the required qualifications, or those who are experts, or those who use complex, sophisticated ideology. Theory is within each and every one of us, we must learn to relate it to our realities for it to fluctuate successfully into practice. Theory first must serve as an acknowledgment that we are oppressed, before it can be put to the test.
