Decolonizing is not a metaphor.
Let’s be uncomfortable for a while and dwell in the issues that decolonizing from within and without entails. Let us even problematize the D word.
This is a page from my own doctoral work:
The conversation takes place in the comments. I declare the comments section a non-UAL safe space where comments can be more free and honest.
These conversations, if to be held honestly, I think cannot safely and honestly happen on University premises. Hence… I declare, by powers that I invest in me, that – the UAL space of this blog ends: HERE.
The comments shall be an unbridled space for expression.
—-
Yo. Hunter,
What are you saying? That institutions should not engage in decolonizing?
If you don’t change stuff how are things going to get better?
No. This is not what I mean.
I am expressing hesitations about my faith into institutions to be able to identify and resolve the overall structures that have lead to their overall success in the first place.
BP “green initiatives” much?
What has got UAL to show to their credits in terms of things they successfully achieved in terms of decolonizing.
UALTruths much?
So you are playing the SJW card. Quelle surprise.
“ABOLISH CAPITALISM” as precondition to improve conditions of teaching? Very valid, Karl.
I will admit that I too, have been uncomfortable with the ease at which the D word is uttered; and decontextualized from the material and geographical conditions of subjugation that are at the foundations of historical exploitative regimes of oppression.
Who then should do the work to decolonize? Doesn’t everyone have a stake in creating a better future?
The work to decolonize can only be executed and engaged in by colonized communities.
Nobody would accept men to do feminism on behalf of Women.
(Well… that is totally not true but .. nobody SHOULD..).
Nobody in their right mind can accept successful anti-abelist work without the inclusion or say or stake of disabled folx….
WHY ON EARTH do I need to accept that these wyte folx and wyte institutions get to claim to be decolonizing without being colonized in the first place.
How do you get out of this intellectual contortion then?
If I have to sit through one more meeting where a head of something or other tells me how they are trying to get better at decolonizing I will be vomiting dreamcatchers all over your keyboard.
The support of wyte communities and white people in the effort to decolonize is non-negotiable; but their remit is not to decolonize; all they can, should and must do is address critical whiteness. THAT and >only that< can be an ethical way to engage with the issue to decolonize as a wyte institution.
The work to decolonize happends by other people, other communities, and from the outside. And we are not there yet. Nowhere near.
Nice try though.
Nothing to break over I guess. At least not for now.
Peace.