From Colonialism to the New Humanity - Essay Example

In a colonized nation, there will inevitably be a creation of varying social stratifications that will segregate the subjugated state into the might of their masters. The notion of colonization and the repercussions of this in the human society are commonly attributed to the European empires of the 16th century. With the pretext of colonization, this paper will discuss the outcome of a new humanity out of the post-colonial societies. It will also tackle issues about the emergence of the colonized and the colonizer in a colonial society. The paper will also relate the relevance of eradicating the notions of the colonized and the colonizer in order to create the concept of a new humanity in a post-colonial society. The focus of this essay will only revolve around the points of view of three authors which discuss the topic on colonialism – Albert Memmi, Aime Cesaire and Frantz Fanon. “It is repeated that the colonization precipitated the awakening of national consciousness of the colonized. One could state equally that it moderated the tempo of this awareness by keeping the colonized apart from the true conditions of contemporary citizenship…” (Memmi 96). It is this quotation from the Albert Memmi’s work that he explains the formation of nationalism within the hearts of the colonized. Hence, the author implies that there is, indeed, a distinction in the existence between the colonizer and the colonized in a colonial context. He specifically reiterates that the colonized lives in a condition which is absolute – a condition dictated by the colonized. With such, the colonized will inevitably seek for a compromise in order to break the absolute condition imposed by their colonial masters (Memmi 111-113). A rough sketch is then created out of the author’s narrative of how the colonial mentality dwells within the minds of those subjugated. It can be said that colonialism can bring about the deed for revolt, hence toppling the colonized society and its masters (Memmi 111-113). “… the colonized reacts by rejecting all the colonizers en bloc…” (Memmi 130). He makes clear that it is through violence, pushed by the abstract force of nationalism, that change can be attained. It is clear that Memmi explains how the road to a post-colonial society functions – that the prerequisite of nationalism and revolution will overthrow the existing system to create a new society. The pretext of a colonial society is further expounded by Aime Cesaire. He explains that the initial purpose of colonization – which is to have contact with other civilizations – is not what it seemed to be. The author suggests that colonization bears no human contact; it only creates a relationship of domination and subjugation (Cesaire 42). In this case, the dominating force will be the colonizer and the subjugated force will be the colonized. To add to this, the author creates a sense of anachronism within the European’s notion of colonialism. He says that Europe is a hypocrite with its idea of bringing change to a savage society. He explains that the colonial masters were incapable of creating distinctions between the notion of reason and conscience. Hence, Europe utilizes its power to deceive and to create an inevitable hatred amongst other peoples and races (Cesaire 39-40). Both Memmi and Cesaire clearly create a definitive stand about colonization and the repercussions they bring unto a particular society. Both authors present that the stratifications of the colonizer and the colonized create conflict with one another. They narrate that subjugation is the primary notion that pushes the oppressed into a collective action which can change the existing system. Also, the concept of nationalism is presented as a tool of creating the sense of heroism within every subjugated individual. Nationalism and collective action will inevitably lead to violence which is directed to a purpose of social change. From what had been evidenced above, revolt and the outburst of revolution are the major effects of colonization. It is what the colonized had desired about as an outcome of their relationship with the colonial masters. Violence through revolution is their venue in order to establish a new society that excludes the colonizers. Now that the concepts of the colonized and the colonizers, along with related terms such as nationalism and revolution, had been thoroughly explained, the colonial stratification can now be related to the idea of a new humanity under a post-colonial society. The destruction of humanity under a colonial context is created through the radical change that the colonizer undergoes. He becomes a de-civilized individual instead of becoming heralds of civilization unto the savages. The colonizer becomes authoritative, violent, unreasonable and downright abusive when it comes to the exploitation of the colonized (Cesaire 39-40). This radical change is the beginning of the creation of a post-colonial society. The concepts of the colonized and the colonizer go through a series of alterations. While the colonizer is dehumanized, the colonized become rebels and revolutionaries as what had been explained earlier. Thus, the colonial society slowly breaks and the stage for a post-colonial community is set – directed towards the establishment of a new humanity. Frantz Fanon provides a good explanation of decolonization and the creation of a new humanity with the defeat of the colonial masters. According to him, “Decolonization… influences individuals and modifies them fundamentally… it brings a natural rhythm into existence… with a new language and a new humanity.” (Fanon 36). The process of change that Fanon explains is shown through the violent turn of events of every colonial territory that aspires for total independence and liberation from their colonizers. This is proven throughout history where the European colonial powers through varying independence movements had lost their strong colonies in Asia and Latin America. Fanon adds that, “Decolonization is the veritable creation of a new humanity. But this creation owes nothing of its legitimacy to any supernatural power: the ‘thing’ which has been colonized becomes human during the same process by which it frees itself.” (Fanon 36). The author explains that in a post-colonial society by which a new humanity exists, the creation of the full character of the colonized is developed through the process of liberation under the colonial setting. Hence, the revolutionary process presented earlier is what molds the new society of the post-colonial community. The violence imbibed through the emergence of nationalism is the major cause of social revolution – revolution in this case is described by the changes observed by an individual in order to attain a collective victory that is directed to the destruction of the colonized humanity. The author further expounds on the discourse of a new humanity created from the outburst of violence. Fanon argues that, “At the level of individuals, violence is a cleansing force. It frees the native from his inferiority complex and from his despair and inaction; it makes him fearless and restores his self-respect.” (Fanon 51). There is no need of interpretation from what the author had presented in the cited quotation. The need to establish the morale of the colonized is greatly needed in order to spark greater change within the society. Collectivization and the notion of a unified goal is what drive nationalism to run through the veins of the oppressed. Fanon goes on by suggesting that violence serves as a unifying force. It presents itself as an anti-thesis to colonialism which advocates separatism and regionalism. He accepts the fact that colonialism recognizes the existence of tribal groups. However, this recognition solidifies the current disposition of the mentioned groups – separate and distinct from one another. Thus, the need of violence provides an all-inclusive atmosphere that would sustain a holistic and national movement (Fanon 94). What does this say about the creation of a new humanity? To simplify it, the colonized needs to be a militant in order to produce a new humanity that is free from the bondages of colonialism. Like an anvil and a hammer, the colonized was battered and beaten in the process of realizing the change that is needed. The status of the colonized as the inferior race and the oppressed people is an unfortunate impetus that would gear the society into post-colonialism. With nationalism and the revolution as the medium for change, new ideas and virtues are imbibed with each colonized individual. The colonized slowly veer away from being the defeated ones. Their mentalities urge them to succeed and topple their colonizers. They become free-thinking and independent, self-serving and brave, nationalistic and sympathetic to a unified cause. In this process of decolonization, the colonized become militants. They take the revolution into the stage of post-colonialism; and with the colonizers out of the context, a new humanity is then established – devoid of colonial stratifications of the colonized and the colonizers. Works Cited Cesaire, Aime. Discourse on Colonialism. United States: Monthly Review Press, 2000. Print. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. New York: Grove Press, 1963. Print. Memmi, Albert. The Colonizer and the Colonized. Massachusettes: Beacon Press, 1957. Print. Read More