The Contributions of Post-Colonial Thinkers - Essay Example

The colonized world is to be conscious to reclaim the construction of true history and culture which was distorted by the colonizers.

One of the prominent post-colonial thinkers, Franz Fanon (1925-61) made it popular the branding of a certain type of people, the “Negro”, were oppressed, discriminated upon which enabled postcolonial analysis to use a better and more accurate term “Ethnicity” which is “less reductive than the more physically based concept of race”.  This led to a more complex analysis and description of the struggle of a certain “ethnic” group reflecting and recognizing the social, cultural, and religious practices which helped to constitute the cultural identity and context of the struggle of a particular ethnicity.

I find this important because this puts ideas into proper perspective that not all colored skin monopolized racism and colonialism.  The term “Negro” is bothersome because it homogenizes everything that is colored and categorizes physical features as a marker of identity and it failed to recognize the diversity of cultures within the black community.    

1. What quotes from the post-colonial thinkers inspire you? "explain:" Research two quotations from one or two postcolonial thinkers you have not mentioned in your previous discussion post. Interpret each of the quotes and what you have learned from these. " 

I find this particular passage of Fanon’s work to be very inspiring;

‘As I begin to recognize that the Negro is the symbol of sin, I catch myself hating the Negro. But then I recognize that I am a Negro. There are two ways out of this conflict. Either I ask others to pay no attention to my skin, or else I want them to be aware of it. I try, then to find value in what is bad - since I have unthinkingly conceded that the black man is the color of evil. In order to terminate this neurotic situation, in which I am compelled to choose an unhealthy, conflictual solution, fed on fantasies, hostile, and inhuman in short, I have only one solution, to rise above this absurd drama that others have staged

around me, to reject the two terms that are equally unacceptable, and, through one human being, to reach out for the universal.’

I particularly liked this series of quotations because it captures the human will to free itself from any disadvantaged situation.  Though in this context it was used for a political struggle to raise the dignity of a certain ethnic group, it encompasses and transcends all avenues of human struggle, be it political, social, or academic.  It articulates the human capacity to emancipate itself no matter how difficult the situation is.  It also reverberates the fineness of the human character of determination to uphold its dignity, and not to let itself be subjugated to any structure or race, but to assert itself to be equal among other human beings on this planet.

1. How can being of service make a difference in the world? explain:" After reading the chapter on service in Wisdom Walk, relate a story or point made in the chapter to either (1) or (2) 
   a specific way that one person can address a global issue of concern (e.g., human trafficking, child labor, teenage suicide, issues related to war, terrorism, peace, etc.) Use independent research sources to find websites that offer ways to be of service (e.g., amnesty international has a list of things that people can do--such as donate, sign petitions, etc. - Be creative and innovative as a global citizen) 
   a specific way that one person could address a current event listed in the RSS feeds or another newsworthy item"

Problems in the world are created by people who do not care and who lack sensitivity to other people.  If only, we, as a people, will do our own share in making this world a little better in our own small little way, we can collectively make a difference.

We may be inclined to believe that because we talk about oppression and misery in the past tense, they no longer exist.  It is, however, still present and still vicious as Fanon talked about it during his time.  Human slavery still exists and though not by another race through colonialism, it took another form which is commerce without a conscience.  Where human beings are being illegally trafficked to work in bondage in factories, plants, and farms.

We are not as powerless as we may think we are.  Collectively we can fight it.  If only we can bond together our strength as consumers, be aware and conscious of what we buy, exercising our prerogatives to make and unmake businesses, we can change the world and end human trafficking and slavery by not patronizing business that employs people in subhuman condition; be it in their factories, plants, farms or other companies where they outsource.