Article Discussion: Decolonization

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Colonialism Made the Modern World. Let’s Remake It. 

Approaching the topic of Decolonization is a multifaceted undertaking that does not have one simple answer. Decolonization spans many areas, from nations, to institutions, to ideas. This opinion article highlights the fact that decolonization cannot be complete until the world that was built based on colonialism has been reimagined.

Something to note that this article highlights is that we should not get bogged down and lost on definitions. Decolonization used to be defined primarily as political and economic, but there has been a recent push towards cultural decolonization noted in this text as the encounter between eurocentrism vs indigenous traditions. For this debate, defining decolonization is best left to the academics, what is important is how we move forward to decolonize our world within our understanding and framing of the word. 

We have seen a significant push for decolonization throughout the globe. From indigenous communities in the United States to university students in South Africa to European countries starting to pay reparations for past colonial-imperial actions. In all cases, symbolism has played a large part in opening the historical narrative and revising accounts of the past. Meaning that symbols have power and taking down a statue can be a first step in starting a conversation about decolonization. This author proposes that the first step in decolonization is historical reckoning, with reparations and restitution coming after. There is no one form of reparations, and there is no catch-all solution- institutions have given monetary reparations, others have pledged the return of stolen or looted artifacts. What is needed is a dynamic conversation where all voices are listened to. Colonist actions of a few countries created the modern world, so to decolonize it, it is going to take action from most countries. 

Discussion Questions

1. In recent years we have seen the rise in anti-immigration policies, consider how these policies act as overseas imperialism once did. Today, acts of colonialism have become more nuanced, so consider what is like past forms of colonialism and what is different? 
2. Consider your country, its history with colonialism, and the remnants that exist today. If you could have anything in the world to undo it, what would it be? Can you take that ideal and ground it in a proposed solution?