These days, the issues related to equality have become central to the U. S. social, political, and economic agendas. In fact, the entire world is still undergoing tremendous changes shifting towards decolonization, although this process is often associated with a certain resistance, misunderstanding, and disappointment. The second half of the twentieth century was characterized by a range of revolutions of different kinds that led to the liberation of the people of Africa from the colonial rule of European states (Olsson 00:01:54-00:02:40). The struggle against colonialism penetrated the western world as well, and now former colonizers are trying to reconsider the role of colonial and decolonial sentiments existing in their society. This paper dwells upon the coloniality of power, knowledge, and gender in American society through my personal perspective.
Being an African American, I have been exposed to some instances of colonial ways of thinking and behaving. However, I have always seen myself as a representative of the American middle class, without paying much attention to what it exactly meant for me and those who were around me. The discussions of colonialism and decolonization made me see more regarding things I previously considered as a norm. The exact notion of the middle class is now associated with a wider set of meanings. Being a military brat, I have enjoyed diverse privileges of my social status and gender, which also mitigated or even eliminated for me some race-based complexities. I now understand that my view of the world was informed by the coloniality of power, gender, and knowledge.
It is possible to analyze my experiences through the prism of the long history of white supremacy and its link to power and knowledge. Although American society is diverse and pluralistic, white supremacy has still been the central pillar that shaped all the rest aspects of people’s lives. Maldonado-Torres stresses that modernity is synonymous with coloniality that has been built on colonialism (16). The authors’ fourth thesis is central to the understanding of the peculiarities of the contemporary United States (Maldonado-Torres 16). The elements of exploitation and domination are pronounced in present-day American society. In my immediate community, these components are less visible as my family has been a part of the military force. Hierarchy and the feeling of unity dominate this sphere where roles are properly established while many opportunities are provided. My sisters managed to achieve their goals, which makes me think as gender is not an issue in many spheres.
These days, many people of color have to surmount certain limits and boundaries that have been set by white people. The descendants of white colonizers have enjoyed the privileges of their fathers and had access to education that was the basis of future success. Knowledge is the core of the development of an individual and the nation. Christian values were still interpreted with a certain degree of discrimination due to Christians’ views regarding their spiritual supremacy and the right to teach others (Olsson 00:39:44-00:43:50). It is clear that people are raised in specific cultural settings that affect their worldviews. I understand that I have seen the world through the prism of the white people who created the system. However, I was also taught by people of different backgrounds who wrote books and established my school curricula. I am still affected by coloniality, as I have not seen the spaces that have been decolonized to their entirety.
I have been to Lagos, Nigeria, as that is the country of my father’s descent. However, I saw a city that is still characterized by a high level of coloniality. I have to admit that this world is a comfort zone for me as I have the power and knowledge, making me a middle-class young man who has diverse opportunities. I also know that thousands of people in the USA are deprived of such privileges as they have limited access to power, as well as knowledge. They have a different perspective of this world due to their experiences and their lives in the world created by whites and for whites (or those who embrace this paradigm).
I would like to note that I see multiple manifestations of inequality and coloniality that should be eliminated from our society. Although I may be driven by other impulses, I also want to achieve the equality everyone is proclaiming and eager to attain. Being exposed to some military contexts, I understand the value of peace and safety. I know that power and force can bring peacetime, which can be illustrated by the outcomes of colonization. The whites used force to settle their rule, but they also brought clear rules that made some groups within the societies conciliate.
Nevertheless, the force can never bring lasting and genuine peace. Love and collaboration can be the grounds of prosperity and progress. Knowledge, power, and gender should be seen through the Christian value of love, without any discriminatory interpretations of any group (Turpin 407). It is a difficult path, but it will bring people to the most positive outcomes. It may seem impossible for many, but through the formation of the love-based and collaborative agenda, Americans and the whole world will be able to address all the issues.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the coloniality of the modern world is visible but pronounced differently across the globe and across the spheres of social life. People are divided by the established system where knowledge is a way to exercise power and vice versa. However, love can help people overcome this crisis and find a way to reconcile with the past to build the future.
Works Cited
Maldonado-Torres, Nelson. “Outline of Ten Theses on Coloniality and Decoloniality.” Foundation Frantz Fanon, Web.
Olsson, Göran, director. Concerning Violence. Films Boutique, 2014.
Turpin, Katherine. “Christian Education, White Supremacy, and Humility in Formational Agendas”. Religious Education, vol. 112, no. 4, 2017, pp. 407-417.