This quote explains that decolonization isn't just political independence but a profound process of uncovering hidden histories, suppressed voices, and obscured power structures. It aims to reveal and acknowledge what colonial narratives deliberately kept unseen.
Quote by Achille Mbembe: “To decolonize is to render visible that which was previously rendered invisible.”
To decolonize is to render visible that which was previously rendered invisible.
Insight
Historical Context
The late 2010s saw a global resurgence of decolonial movements and critical discussions, challenging dominant historical narratives and demanding recognition for marginalized perspectives. This era emphasized revisiting foundational concepts of power and knowledge.
About the Author
Cameroonian philosopher and political theorist whose concept of 'necropolitics' — the power of the state to decide who may live and who must die — has become central to postcolonial and critical theory. He teaches at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
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