Blog 4: Wither/What Freedom?


A book published in 1938 by Jomo Kenyatta addressed the concept of clitoridectomy. His main concern was to normalize cultural practices and values that have been dehumanized due to colonialism. Additionally, some practices have been portrayed negatively by the West and remain that way today. This can be visible by a simple search on google, Kenyatta’s views on clitoridectomy are never suggested. Almost all articles on clitoridectomy on google either derogate or fear the ritual. Even after decolonization, practices haven’t remained personal or symbolic by the Western press, they’re just “barbaric.” In a global sphere where imperialism dominates and previously colonized countries are still forced to abide by outside perceptions, one may ask, what freedom?
This question haunts the minds of all people who were colonized or faced its effects, as imperialism still continues to persist around them. Its presence can be seen in South Asia which struggles with their brown skin and excessively dwells on fairness products. The second largest economy in the world today, China, still spends millions of dollars today in research over the shape of their eyes. A third world which is obsessed with trying to be similar to the West, rather than celebrating their difference. It highlights that colonized nations are still shackled psychologically, if not physically. If one is being forced to frown upon their very own regional values by someone who knows very little about them, we must ask ourselves, what freedom?
Moreover, in the world community an organization which heavily involves itself in matters concerning most nations, is dominated by the west. The United Nations tries to group together a diverse range of countries but fails to let them exist their own ways. It comments on a wide variety of issues ranging from women rights to Kashmir but does very little to actually support the cries of the third world. Most times, it formulates its own opinions and forces them on the weaker nations, which have been colonized in the past. A clear example would be the International Monetary Fund which deteriorates a county’s economy completely. Imperialism persists in organisations that are only there to serve Western interests, in such a world we must ask, what freedom?
Third world countries have been promoted from slaves to beggars. They are never allowed to dictate society on their own terms, they simply follow the debates and wait for their fate to be written. It is unclear if colonized countries are on the right course, as suppression and subjugation of women is still a harsh reality in most states. However, progression of women rights by European states often attacks the cultural values of people. Attacking ones’ customs isn’t the best way to solve problems. Sticks can be used to force people temporarily, but sometimes the force is too great to be broken down. Therefore, decolonialism requires the perspectives of women and other suppressed groups to fully achieve its freedom. Though, in the current scenario where Europeans try to devalue traditions and their only refutation is limited to one gender, we must continue to ask, what freedom?

Comments

Shafaq Sohail said…
There was zero engagement with the readings.
Even when taken on its own terms, your arguments are extremely generic. how do you, for instance, frame psychological colonization? or what does it mean to have ex-colonizers dominate international political and economic spheres today?

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