Decolonization

On Monday, we began to unpack the idea of settler colonialism. For today, we will continue this investigation, while also thinking about what this means for our understandings of decolonization. If settler colonialism is on-going in our society (a “structure not an event,” as Wolfe wrote), then where do we go from here?

Assigned Materials

[Item 1] Please read all the passages provided to you as a paper packed in class on Monday. If you need a new copy, you can download the excerpts below.

[Item 2] Like the packet of excerpts given to you on Monday, the pdf below offers clips from a variety of academic and public press articles about decolonization, land reparation, and solidarity. As you read through the materials, think about what types of approaches to decolonization resonate with you.

[Item 3]

[Item 3] We watched some more of documentary “Lakota Nation vs. The United States” for last class, and then more during our class meeting on 3/18. For today, please finish the remainder of the documentary based on where we left off (I’ll update this with a specific time stamp). As a reminder, this documentary is available through the Bucknell Library here. You’ll need to be logged into your Bucknell account to watch.

Prompt

In class on Monday, I showed you a map database of Native land (mostly but not only in North America). Check this out on your own here, and (if possible) explore places that are important to you. In considering your relationship to these places, reflect on how the resources about decolonization might help you engage in decolonial practice.

In your write up, take 10-15 minutes to reflect on the following questions, drawing on the readings (Monday’s readings may still be useful): What is your own relationship to settler colonialism? Based on your own positionality, what can you do with your knowledge of this relationship to settler colonialism–i.e. what might decolonialization mean in practice for you?

Powerpoint

Powerpoint