Post-Colonialism From political to cultural independence

What is it? First of all a post-ism: a response to what had happened before (European domination around the world) A global trend that affects the whole culture starting from the compelled countries that reached their independence Nowadays it influences also the thought of Western society because of globalization

Two different reflections of Colonialism  Since 1947 (India) colonies gain their political independence, thus an anti-imperialistic process starts  The process doesn’t find a solution but it gradually transforms into globalization  During the 80’s it developped a new consciousness all around the world: the bonds of colonization had still persisted  The part who rejected imperialism creates a global awareness of the cultural colonization still going on  Post-colonialism has gone beyond his juxtaposition to colonialism and opens new perspectives to present problems

Cultural colonization Globalization seems to be the problem nowadays, so everybody is interested in that process “Orientalism” by E. Said (1978) has been the seminal book for post-colonialism It rejected the differences between the East and the West The East was called to be irrational part The West was rational because it produced the dominant knowledge

The search for identity Since the cultural domination of the West, colonies look to their identity as a possible independent way out from globalization In a globalized system the dominant forces keep the power During colonization European culture repressed other cultures Identity is a longed need for people who were subjected to European domination

Racial relationship Important matter in global relationship Race was committed to a lot of crimes When every ethnicity wins back his identity everybody is finally considered at the same level It is very important to maintain peaceful relationships  problem of anger for the past Also Western culture has understood the problem and tries to find a shared solution

Post-Colonialism and resistance  It develops as a resistance literature: against colonization  Nowadays Post-Colonialism is gone beyond those paradigms  It provides people with the opportunity to spread their voice  It elaborates new themes starting from the local conditions and giving local meanings  Thanks to globalization meanings can be understood all over the world

Post-Colonialism and Post-Modernism Post-colonialism represents a consequence of the attitudes of post-modernism Post-colonialism gives voice to marginalized people and countries Post-colonialism is not fixed in its positions, but follows a developing process It is spread all over society It relies as other movements, like Feminism, on the need for everyone to express It is innovative because it continually puts into question the assumptions of dominant culture