What Is Decolonisation and Why Should We Care?

When we talk about decolonisation, most people first think about countries gaining independence from colonial rulers. But decolonisation is much more than just political freedom. It’s a deep, ongoing process that challenges the lasting effects of colonialism — in our minds, cultures, knowledge systems, and daily lives. and oh god, dears, do you know that, not many colonized countries got rich after independence. Even those that did, like South Korea or Singapore, still struggle to break free from the shadows of colonial powers.

Who really gets to speak up? Often, it’s those who control the money and the media—the old colonizers.

So yeah, the fight for true freedom isn’t just about wealth. It’s about reclaiming voice, history, and dignity that were stolen.

Beyond Political Independence

Many countries gained independence in the 20th century, yet colonial ideas and structures often stayed intact. These include education systems that prioritize European knowledge, cultural institutions that center whiteness, and food systems built on global extraction and exploitation.

Decolonisation means questioning and dismantling these inherited systems. It’s about reclaiming histories, languages, and practices erased or suppressed by colonial powers.

Key Thinkers on Decolonisation

• Frantz Fanon, in The Wretched of the Earth (1961), highlighted how colonialism violently suppresses both body and mind. For Fanon, true liberation requires a radical break with colonial power, including psychological and cultural freedom.
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o emphasized the importance of language in Decolonising the Mind (1986). Colonizers imposed their languages to control people, so reclaiming native languages is essential for cultural freedom.
• Gayatri Spivak questioned whether oppressed voices can truly be heard in Can the Subaltern Speak? (1988). She critiqued Western knowledge systems for silencing marginalized groups.
• Walter Mignolo introduced “epistemic disobedience,” the idea that we must reject Western knowledge dominance and embrace diverse ways of knowing.
• Audre Lorde warned that “the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” (1979), meaning that new, transformative methods are necessary to break colonial legacies.

Decolonisation in Everyday Life

Decolonisation isn’t just academic—it touches everything from food to art, education, and social relations. Reclaiming indigenous ingredients in cooking, teaching erased languages, returning stolen artifacts to their communities, and challenging Eurocentric design standards are all acts of decolonisation.

Why Does It Matter?

Understanding decolonisation helps us see how colonial legacies still shape our world. It invites us to think critically about who holds power, whose stories get told, and how we can build more just, inclusive societies.

I’m a bit stressed out after writing this. need to go now