Colonialism saddens me, and in a large scheme Mignolo does not support the idea that coloniality is permanent; however, when applying his theory to our daily lives, I have a hard time understanding the ways in which colonialism can be entirely dismantled. I understand that there are methods which can be applied to anti-colonialism to render its effectiveness, but on a large scale I think that the demolition of colonialism is impossible.
Unfortunately, I am working from a limited perspective and I do not yet have the scope to conceive of the abolition of colonialism. Considering the ways in which the land of The People has been historically* misused, it will be difficult to adjust all of the structures which were quickly assembled, but built to last and endure. To an extent, colonial structures were built with a form of survivance in mind. Once one group is colonized, it almost seems as though the quickest form of reconciliation or retribution is through the colonization of another group of people. Now, is this to say that I am assuming colonization can only be dismantled in a matter of years? No. It is to say that I believe that coloniality will take decades to erase, and I do not see the lifespan of humanity occupying the same lengthy lifespan.
To reiterate, my perspective is limited. I began reading with the idea that the lifespan of humanity after 2014 is waning. This limited view constricted me and did not allow me to completely agree with Mignolo's theory. Although I agree that colonialism is the the "hated little sister" which the family attempts to disguise as modernization, or progress, or development, and I partially agree that "the decolonization of knowledge and subjectivity through the imagination of alternatives to capitalism and alternatives to the modern state and its reliance on military power... is taking place" (Mignolo, 85); however, I do not believe it has garnered sufficient support to be considered ultimately successful. I also do not believe there is a way for these movements to be greatly successful until all of colonialism is disbanded.
Now this post is not in any way a means to say that I have the answer to ending colonialism. It is also not not an attempt to say that Mignolo's theory was not brilliant. Instead it is to say I do not entirely agree with his theory.
*the use of the term historical is not to confine this text to the European, Greco Abrahamic linearity of time, but merely to contextualize my thoughts through a method that is familiar.
This post made me think of Saidiya Hartman's idea of redress that I am working with for my final project. The ideas of coloniality and redress are very different, but this post seems to be about redressing coloniality; that is, dismantling the oppression that colonialism has caused for many different groups of peoples. Hartman believes that redress, specifically for slavery, is possible, although "the efforts to set things right would entail a revolution of the social order –the abolition of slavery, racism, domination, and exploitation, the realization of justice and equality, and the fulfillment of needs.” These are the requirements Hartman sets not for colonialism itself but a practice that was formed from it. I believe that Mignolo is correct in saying that "the decolonization of knowledge and subjectivity through the imagination of alternatives to capitalism and alternatives to the modern state...is taking place..." but I do not believe that even though decolonization is taking place that colonization could ever completely be redressed in the ways expressed by Hartman.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a commenter this week, but I want to say how much I enjoyed reading Willina's post and Lesley's comment. They both discussed very interesting and important points and caused lots of thinking in my brain. Thanks friends.
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with you, Willina. From the way we have been colonized and socialized, I can't see colonialism being dismantled in our lifetime at all. I just saw a documentary called "Precious Knowledge" which has to do with the ban on Mexican American studies in public high schools. Even within education and politics, I dont see any sort of decolonialization going on anytime soon. With this ban in education, the eurocentric education is being enforced as the "right" way of education. I can see a type of resistance (decolonialization) happening at an individual level, but not as a whole collective.
ReplyDeleteFor example, while I'm home for the summer, I want to learn more about Oaxaca, Spanish, Zapotec, and other political figures (ex Che, Pancho Villa, Subcomandante Marcos and what and who they faught for) and introducing them to my siblings. These little things will hopefully expand their critical thinking when they are in the classroom. I hope that they will at some point ask themselves why our culture or our people aren't being mentioned, or how they are being depicted through the history and information that they will be taught. This tactic could easily have a negative effect, but I've got to try and show them some love.
Therefore, I see an attempt for colonialization partially dismantling (through education), but not fully and not for the society as a whole. At least not anytime soon. Pero estamos en la lucha! We have to keep fighting and not accept defeat.