Why read Discourse on Colonialism?

Book cover of Discourse on Colonialism

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"Césaire's essay stands as an important document in the development of third world consciousness--a process in which [he] played a prominent role."
--Library Journal

This classic work, first published in France in 1955, profoundly influenced the generation of scholars and activists at the forefront of liberation struggles in Africa, Latin…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Discourse on Colonialism as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Patrick D. Anderson

Author

The first time I read Césaire, I was not prepared for his complete evisceration of Western colonialism. It compelled me to reexamine my understanding of Western culture and philosophy and to accept that colonialism is at the heart of modern Western civilization.

Before reading Césaire, I tended to think of racism as a psychological problem that could be fixed through education or some similar individual intervention. After reading Césaire, I came to understand racism as a symptom of a broader colonial economic and political structure.

I think Césaire’s most compelling and relevant argument is his interpretation of fascism as colonialism-turned-inward.…

From Patrick's list on The best books on colonialism and its impact on human nature and society.