Western Colonialism: Civilization or Barbarity? Notes for Reflection from the Viewpoint of the Decolonial Thought of Aime Cesaire and Frantz Fanon

The criticism developed by Aime Cesaire and Frantz Fanon remains in full force, not only because their reflections generated great debates on decolonization, but because the people of the 'south' still continue to suffer the abuses of contemporary Western colonialism. This study will focus on two important texts: Discourse on Colonialism by Cesaire and The Wretched of the Earth by Fanon. From the viewpoint of deeolonial hermeneutics, the study reflects on their criticism of Western colonialism, their questioning of the so-called European civilization and also assesses their proposals for the theoretical and practical construction of a decolonized society. Conclusions are that the reflections made by these authors are the foundation for critical thinking and contemporary decolonialism. Thinking in a deeolonial code implies transforming our societies, thus reclaiming our people and cultures, which still experience the impact of the greatest genocide that any human culture has ever experienced. This is only possible, in the words of Fanon, by developing new thinking and creating a new human being. Adapted from the source document.