If colonization relies on the notion of the superiority and inferiority of people, how do we begin to challenge the racist legacy of the colonial system? How is the colonial legacy a part of our own lives and society?
1 Answer
Well, this is good...as good as difficult to answer!
Explanation:
I think that there are a lot of possible answers to this question and I'll try with mine.
As you say in the question: "colonization relies on the notion of the superiority and inferiority of people", so, to challenge this idea, we need to show that this is not true.
First, I suspect that to maintain this idea (or force it) on others you need to keep them in a state of continuous and persistent ignorance denying them education and making sure that they are always in a state of need/dependence from you so that they cannot ask themselves anything or tend to nothing.
I think of a population forced to endure tough life conditions with hard work, little food and absolutely no hope of changing the situation. People will struggle for everyday life/survival with no time, strength or will to change.
What you can do to change this (I think) it is to allow people to learn and so see that there is something else.
You start by taking the children and send them to school: they will be out of the grinding machine of hard labour and they will "see" (through education) a possible different future; the children will then grow up knowing that there is something else for them too!
They will not feel inferior anymore; they will see that they can have the same things and conditions of the "colonialists" because they now know that the "colonialists" are not "gods" or superior beings. On top of it, these ideas cannot be taken away by any form of repression, persecution or oppression!
Finally, I think that colonialism is not only the act of denying equality but it is to hide it from the people you try to maintain subjugated.
Education is the key for me; it is like to spy, to have a glance at a different world; you see things that you didn't even think existed and this lead you to understand who you areand may become.
