Postcolonialism: an Excuse for Today’s Problems
Blaming the Past for Everything
Postcolonialism, a Critical Theory, is a way of thinking that says many of the problems faced by countries today are the result of being colonised in the past by European powers. Colonialism caused some harm, but postcolonialism has also become an easy excuse for everything that goes wrong in those countries today.
For example, if a country is struggling with poverty, corruption, or bad leadership, postcolonialism might suggest it’s all because of what happened under colonial rule. But is that the full story? While colonialism played a role, today’s leaders and decisions also matter. It’s too simple to blame everything on the past without looking at what’s happening now.
The Trap of Seeing Yourself as a Victim
Postcolonialism encourages countries to see themselves as victims of history, forever suffering because of what colonisers did. While it’s true that colonialism left deep scars, constantly thinking of yourself as a victim can be harmful.
Imagine if someone keeps telling you that your life is ruined because of what someone did to your ancestors. Eventually, you might start believing you can’t change your situation and stop trying to improve it. Postcolonialism traps countries in this thinking, making it harder for them to take charge of their futures.
Was the Past Really That Great?
One of the ideas in postcolonialism is that before Europeans came, many societies were living in peace and harmony. Colonialism, the theory suggests, destroyed these perfect societies. But was the past was really that wonderful?
Before colonization, many societies faced wars, inequality, and oppression. While colonialism often failed to improve these conditions, claiming everything was perfect beforehand is unrealistic. By idealizing the past, postcolonial narratives can distort history, portraying the colonized solely as innocent victims and the colonizers solely as villains.
Woke – Critical Theory – Queer Theory – Critical Gender Theory – Critical Race Theory – Postcolonialism – Social Justice – Culture War – Disability Theory – Fat Studies
Complex Ideas That Don’t Help Much
Postcolonialism is discussed in academic circles, using complex language and ideas that can be hard to understand. This makes postcolonialism more about showing off intellectual skills than solving real problems.
For example, scholars discussing postcolonialism use complicated terms that only a few understand. This makes it difficult for ordinary people, especially those who are supposed to benefit from these ideas, to relate to or use them in practical ways. Postcolonialism is too hard for most people to understand, and it’s not helping anyone.
Is Postcolonialism Just Another Form of Control?
Here’s some irony: postcolonialism criticises how Western countries imposed their values and systems on others during colonial times. However, postcolonialism itself is a form of control.
For instance, by insisting that everything in a non-Western country can be explained through the lens of colonialism, postcolonialism is imposing a Western way of thinking on these societies. Some cultures might have different ways of understanding their history and current problems that don’t fit the postcolonial framework. Yet, postcolonialism pushes these local perspectives aside in favour of its own narrative.
Ignoring the Present and Other Forms of Control
Postcolonialism focuses on the past and often overlooks other important factors shaping today’s world. For example, many kinds of power and influence are at play now that don’t fit into the simple coloniser vs. colonised story.
Take globalisation, for example. Today, countries are interconnected in ways that have little to do with colonialism. New forms of economic control and political influence exist, some coming from powerful non-Western countries. But postcolonialism focuses on the past and misses these current dynamics.
Conclusion: A Useful But Flawed Perspective
Postcolonialism oversimplifies the world, focusing too much on the past and not enough on present-day realities. It’s one way to understand history, but it shouldn’t be the only way. To address today’s challenges, we must look at the past and the present, recognising that while history matters, so do our choices today.
