Welcome to the Multiversity
Underground, an exciting new network for those interested in challenging the
dominant system of education and taking their learning back into their own
hands.
Multiversity Underground
draws its name and inspiration from the Underground Railroad, a spontaneously
evolving, informally organized network in the 18th and 19th
century. Neither
"underground" nor a "railroad", in the literal sense, this
network of black and white Americans assisted enslaved African-Americans in
escaping to freedom. It occurred when
the slave trade of Europeans and white Americans was at its height, in a time
when it seemed impossible to break its stranglehold on African people. Yet though the risks were high and the
penalty for getting caught was death, still people had the courage to resist
the dehumanizing institution of slavery.
It is estimated that as many as 100,000 enslaved people escaped in the
100-year-old existence of the Underground Railroad.
Today, we are need of a
similar level of courage. Young people
in India (and around the world) stand face-to-face with another kind of brutal
slavery: the mental, physical and
spiritual enslavement promoted by factory schools and colonial colleges. The constant onslaught of competition,
pressure and violence, coupled with the hopelessness of the global economy,
have left many young people frustrated, angry and/or depressed. Though some have had the strength and
support to ‘walk out’ of such bondage, they are looking for places and
relationships to ‘walk in’ to. It is to
support such ‘freedom seekers’ in their struggle — to know themselves, to set their
own learning paths, and to make beautiful contributions to their world — that
the Multiversity Underground has been launched.
Just as the slaves' flight
to freedom was made possible by the courageous men and women who believed in
the right of all humans to be free from bondage, so too does the
Multiworld-Underground consist of ‘sympathetic resistors’. Spread throughout all corners of India,
working in all fields of life, these individuals (and their organizations, if
applicable) are willing to nurture a young ‘freedom seeker’. Together, they will generate and commit to
project(s) of learning of their choice, which will be of mutual interest and
benefit to both. The minimum duration
of time together will be six months, with an option for both sides to extend
for another six months, if so desired.
The freedom seekers will
self-select and apply to work with whichever sympathetic resistor s/he would
like. Since Multiworld considers
degrees, certificates, and examination marks to be useless, freedom seekers will
have to demonstrate their questions and learning interests through creative
expressions and strong recommendations.
An interview may also be held to finalize the match between freedom
seekers and sympathetic resistors.
The Underground will be
enhanced by an orientation and periodic interactions among the freedom seekers,
in various locations throughout India.
These will strengthen their processes of self-learning, de-colonizing,
and also enable them to expand their learning landscape. The Underground will also have an annual
meeting among all the sympathetic resistors, freedom seekers, and Multiworld
associates, to learn and share their experiences with one another. Such co-learning and continuous feedback
will be a vital aspect of the Underground, and will set it apart from other existing
youth internship or fellowship programs.
The Underground Railroad was
every route the enslaved took, or attempted to take, to freedom. It was a vast
network of paths and roads, through swamps and over mountains, through the
woods and fields, river crossings, boats and ships, trains and wagons. We anticipate the Multiworld Underground to
be just as diverse and vast, full of adventure and well worth the risk. Addressing the crisis of our young people
today calls for nothing less than such courage and conviction.
We invite you to join us as
a sympathetic resistor, freedom seeker, a well-wisher, or in whatever capacity
you see fit.
Claude Alvares and Shilpa
Jain
Multiworld Underground
Coordinators
<mversity@sancharnet.in>