Decolonization as a term is often connected to the second half of the 20th century when countries of the Global South gained their formal independence from the colonial powers of Europe. However, according to Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (2020), the notion of decolonization is much bigger than that. It refers to the destruction of the laws, structures, and perceptions that have been created by colonization processes and that continue to actively deprive colonized peoples of their prospects, authority, and humanity. For one, the decolonization of education implies the creation of space for people and knowledge forms that can enhance other possibilities for whole generations, present and future. Moreover, it means challenging the assumption that only what is usually understood as Western knowledge elevates righteous and valuable knowledge.
Many people believe that decolonization is the negation of all Western academic traditions. However, this misunderstanding needs to be addressed. As per Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund. (2020), the problem is not the contemporary European scientific and philosophical tradition as such. The problem is its placement of the Western world at the center of knowledge, making knowledge of the rest of the world less relevant or valuable. Consequently, knowledge belonging to other contexts or produced within other contextual frameworks is underestimated, perceived as invalid, or made invisible, silencing the voices of those not part of the Western world. Therefore, decolonization is not intended to disqualify the Western tradition but to enable to deepen people’s understanding of science and provide space for more voices, opinions, and a broader exchange of views. It is almost guaranteed to be an effective tool to reduce racism and discrimination: when people have an opportunity to listen, they learn to understand and accept.
Reference
Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund. (2020). An introduction to decolonization and how you can contribute [PDF file].