Mirrored Repressions: Students and Inmates in a Colonial Landscape

Abstract

In this essay we use Althusser as our theoretical framework in order to show how schools are no longer ideological state apparatus (ISA) but repressive state apparatus (RSA). In order to show this we give a brief historical timeline.  Then we aesthetically compare aesthetic photographs of schools and prisons to show how schools have become RSAs .  In addition we compare school rules and prison rules to show how schools have become RSAs..  We conclude that schools were constructed for children and youth to be part of the colonial project.  Hence schools are doing exactly what they were intended to do.