Education in a Colonial Society
Written By Medlyn Grasheyella / VFT 2021
Colonialism is an ongoing process that constructs the realities of western modernity. The legacies of colonialism are so deeply interwoven into the cultural fabric of our modern society that it dictates contemporary historical trends, geography, political institutions, policies and social structures. By establishing extractive institutions that resulted in deep inequality and underdevelopment, colonialism has given rise to the most pertinent issues today: racism, patriarchy, economic dependency, environmental exploitation—issues far too complex for neoliberalism and globalization to solve.
After four years of the Trump administration, not only has white supremacy run rampant in the United States, but it has manifested as a political movement in American politics. White identity has become a prerequisite for citizenship, and individuals are divided into two groups: the privileged and those who are rewarded for “good behavior.”
There is a need to revolutionize our conceptualization of the world’s future beyond colonial thinking. Instead, we need to invest in the resources necessary to create a world that rejects the racist frameworks that current institutions rely on, and instead upholds a deeper societal standard based on the understanding of interdependence between all humans. In order to do this, we must spread awareness about the colonial legacy—specifically, the target of this decolonial campaign: the youth.
As a society, we have far too long valued rational knowledge over empathy; individuals are encouraged to rely on their rational mind based on the assumption of constant conflict for the sake of survival. This ideology has manifested into standard Westernized patriarchal beliefs that dominate all aspects of modern society—particularly the contemporary education system. To fix this cultural imbalance, it is imperative that newer generations are provided with the resources necessary for creating a society that maintains harmonious social relationships. Individuals need to learn empathy from a young age. Therefore, a reformation of the institution needs to be made, in which young individuals are encouraged to think productively in order to do the work necessary for creating a better future.
Eurocentric beliefs have clearly dominated the education setting for centuries, and it is important to acknowledge the implicit biases and microaggressions that have been perpetuated in the traditional curriculum. The first step is providing a platform for minority groups to share their experiences. The normalization of westernized culture has fostered the idealization of white supremacy as the desirable and morally righteous. This ideology has been especially detrimental to minority groups.
Personally, I have actively rejected my cultural roots as an Asian-American in the past. This internal shame towards my culture cultivated through growing up in suburban Ohio, in which I admittedly suffered from an internalized inferiority complex. I dismissed my own culture as inferior to those of my white peers in an attempt to escape the negative stigma and stereotypes surrounding being Asian in a predominantly white community. From instances of racial microaggressions inside of the classroom and out, I had become conditioned into thinking that being Asian was something to be ashamed of. The persistence of this inferiority complex began to leave a negative impact on my well being, and it was not until I attended college that I was finally able to learn about the colonial legacy.
As a political science and sociology major, I have had the opportunity to take informative courses that deconstruct the role of white supremacy within the establishment of a clear power structure that is reliant on racial discrimination. The existing institutions aim to empower white supremacists, while marginalized groups are forced to contend with xenophobia, racism and hyper-exploitation on a daily basis. Although I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to reconstruct my own narrative, the fact that this opportunity is limited to specialized courses in higher education is deplorable. Therefore, I urge that younger generations be exposed to diverse stories curated by authors of diverse backgrounds. In doing this, minority groups are able to restructure the narrative surrounding their ethnic backgrounds as something to be celebrated—not discriminated against. By establishing tolerance as a core value for newer generations, young individuals of color are empowered through powerful role models that undermine traditional racial stereotypes and hierarchies.
Through education we are able to redirect the spending of taxpayer dollars away from institutions that fuel oppressive systems, and towards creating more accessible social services that prioritizes a future based on humane existence for all individuals. Contemporary institutions rely on the marginalization of minority groups, and the possibility for lasting institutional change rests in the empowerment of these marginalized communities to actively reject the labels and binaries placed upon us from oppressive systems of power. Clearly, the education system will not transform overnight. However, as individuals that hope to impact this system in a meaningful way, we can ultimately use the tools we have now to advocate for the resources necessary to inspire younger generations to take part in fighting for the creation of lasting institutional reform.