Postcolonialism and its Critics - Book Report/Review Example

Post colonialism and its Critics Post colonialism can be defined as a time after colonialism took place. The colonizers included the British, Dutch, French, Germans, and Portuguese among others. The colonized states include the Africans, Asians and the Americans. After the colonizers left the territories they had taken over, it can be noted that colonialism did not end. The people left to rule continued colonizing their own people hence post colonialism. The act of post colonialism could be social, economical and even political.

Uneven division of resources is one of the social form of post colonialism. When the colonizers defected from colonized states, the people expected colonization to end. This did not happen in many states as the leaders who took over became dictatorial. In chapter three (3) to four (4) of postcolonial Insecurities (Krishna, Sankaran, 1999), his main argument can be said to be based on ethnicity or racism. Krishna states “postcolonial insecurities counter the perception of ethnicity as an inferior and subversive principle ….

” Ethnicity interferes with nation development. Whenever people get divided by their ethnic groups, then the country’s development slows down. During the colonial period, the colonizers practiced racism and discriminated the people they colonized. Sankaran highlights that, the citizens of Sri Lanka still practice ethnicity, even with the end of colonization period. The conflict is between Sinhalese and Tamils. They fail to live in harmony because they come from different ethnic groups. The conflict brings the issue of insecurity.

Wherever there emerge conflict, then the place becomes insecure as everyone tries to show the other that he or she is superior.Because of the ethnicity among the Sinhalese and Tamils, some issues come up. They include:Conflict among the peopleLack of development in the nationInsecurity andViolence Violence evolves because people do not respect each other and the hatred they have for one another. The citizens spend a lot of time on violence hence nation building drag. Also, they cannot work together to build the nation due to the hatred they have for each other.

Secondly, they use their resources to engage in violence instead of building the nation. Therefore, the economic status of the country does not progress. Violence brings the issue of insecurity. During the colonial time, many people felt insecure. The people thought that the end of colonization would bring security. This was not the case because insecurity still exists. Conflict, underdevelopment of nation, insecurity, and violence emerge just because of ethnicity. From the writers view, one can conclude that ethnicity is the root of all problems in the society.

Even with modernization, people still practice racism and ethnicity. This can be discriminating when one gets analyzed from his or her race or ethnic group. People should live in harmony and co-exist with each other despite their ethnic group. They should understand that no one is superior or better than the other. In addition, they should know that harmony and peace bring development. When the nation develops, they stand to gain both economically and socially. Also, unity among the people can make them work as a team to develop the nation.

Lastly, one gets to question himself, or herself the question, “Why do people discriminate each other just because of their race or ethnic group and what are the benefits?”Work CitedKrishna, Sankaran. Postcolonial Unstable Status: India, Sri Lanka, and the Issue of Nationhood. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1999.