Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024): Post-Conference Issue: Beyond Taboos: Rethinking Education for a Changing World

“Naming things, breaking through taboos and denial is the most dangerous, terrifying, and crucial work. This has to happen in spite of political climates or coercions, in spite of careers being won or lost, in spite of the fear of being criticized, outcast or disliked. I believe freedom begins with naming things. Humanity is preserved by it.” - Eve Ensle

In the realm of education, we often encounter unspoken norms, silenced narratives, and forbidden territories. The theme of "Taboo" invites us to delve into the unconventional, challenging the status quo and questioning the boundaries of conventional educational discourse. This conference seeks to confront the uncomfortable, address silenced narratives, and provoke critical dialogue on the power dynamics, social constructs, and systemic structures that contribute to what is considered taboo in education.

The prefix "Taboo" prompts us to reconsider, redefine, and reimagine our understanding of education. It signifies a space where we confront the uncomfortable and address the silenced narratives within our educational systems. The term "Taboo" invites us to delve into the forbidden, the unconventional, and the often overlooked aspects of education. In this liminal space, we challenge the norms and engage with topics that provoke, question, and push the boundaries of conventional educational discourse. Taboo is not just about breaking societal norms but also about understanding the power dynamics, social constructs, and systemic structures that contribute to what is considered taboo in education (Douglas, 2003). As Mary Douglas (2003) points out, the understanding of taboos in cultural and symbolic dimensions provides a way for societies to structure the world. She argues that societies use concepts of purity and danger to construct their understanding of the world. In this framework, taboos are mechanisms through which societies articulate and reinforce their values and norms.