Postcolonialism

From Geography

Postcolonialism is represented by a group of thinkers who critically regard the imperialism and colonial approach from European countries. Post-colonialists centralize their arguments that European countries next to the extension of political and economic power also in cultural sense exercised their power over non-European countries. Colonialism characterizes itself with a superiority of the European culture, it's were the term euro-centrism derives from: Eurocentrism is the continous assumption that Europe is the core region of the world. Europeans considered themselves as developed and modern while the colonized countries were denigrated as being less developed and traditional. But where colonialism lacked in the respect for other cultures, post-colonialism emphasizes on the appreciation for the intertwined history of societies which are presented as separated entities. (Aitken & Valentine. 2006. p.149). Different authors, mainly from colonized countries stood up for them selves and wanted to achieve an equal status for their countries.

Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, Frantz Fanon, Robert Young, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Derek Gregory are considered to be important authors in this field.

Post-colonialism should not be confused with anti-colonialism. However, many roots from the post-colonialism stream derives from anti or de-colonialism. For example, Aimé Césaire came up with the term negritude wherein he posed that black communities should be proud on their identity and that the black community should not accept that they are being denigrated by the white community.

• Aitken S. and Valentine G., 2006, Approaches to Human Geography, p. 147-159