Colonial Mentality: How it Impedes Progress

Introduction

A colonial mentality is the internalized attitude of ethnic or cultural inferiority felt by a people because of colonization. Popularized by post-colonial Marxist writers, particularly Frantz Fanon in The Wretched of the Earth and Antonio Gramsci of Italy, it maintains that the widespread belief among the colonized people that the cultural values of the colonial masters are inherently superior to one’s own has caused collective depression, anxiety, and other widespread mental health issues in populations that have experienced colonization.

Origins and Evolution of Colonial Mentality

Colonial mentality begins by making the colonized people forget their history and heroes. They are made to forget their own identity; instead, a new manufactured identity is provided to them by the colonial power. This identity seeks subservience to the colonial power without question.

During the British colonial era Raj, proponents of British Imperialism typically regarded native Indian culture with disdain and supported European colonization as a beneficial “civilizing mission”. Colonization was largely framed as an act of charity aimed at uplifting the “uncivilized” Indian, rather than an act of direct exploitation and domination, which targeted native cultural practices deemed to be “barbaric” by colonial administrators.

Critics have claimed that British writer Rudyard Kipling’s portrayals of Indian characters in his works generally supported the colonialist view that colonized people were incapable of surviving without the help of Europeans, describing these portrayals as racist. In his famous poem “The White Man’s Burden”, Kipling directly makes this point by romanticizing British colonialism in India and elsewhere in the world. Kipling’s poem idolizes Western culture as entirely rational and civilized while treating non-white cultures as ‘childlike’ and ‘demonic’.

Similar sentiments have been interpreted in Kipling’s other works, which have contributed to the colonial mentality in the ways that the colonized people in these fictional narratives are made submissive to and dependent on white colonizers.

19th-century British historian, politician, and colonial administrator Thomas Macaulay regarded British culture as superior to Indian culture and famously argued in favor of replacing Indian languages and dialects with English as the medium of instruction in educational institutions. The consequences of this development can still be felt in contemporary India, where the use of English, as opposed to Hindi, still carries with it a level of superiority.

Features of Colonial Mentality

1. Perceived Superiority of Foreign Products: Both street-level and elite members of society often consider foreign-made goods and services superior to their domestic alternatives. This disincentivizes local manufacturers while incentivizing the importing traders, resulting in less employment of indigenous resources. The preference for foreign goods also leads to the unnecessary expenditure of foreign exchange, creating budgetary deficits and inflationary pressures.
2. Skin Prejudice: Feelings of inferiority develop among the colonized people from comparing themselves to the dominating white standards of their rulers. This results in unnecessary spending on skin whitening creams and lotions, wasting resources that could have been gainfully employed elsewhere. Skin whitening products are among the top-grossing items in countries like the Philippines, indicating a deep-seated colonial mentality regarding beauty standards.
3. Educational Duality: There is a general craze for education in foreign language medium institutions, perpetuating class divisions in society and resulting in frustration among those left out. This educational duality creates two streams of education — foreign language medium and vernacular — with the former being preferred.
4. Preference for Foreign Qualifications: Even highly qualified locals are often neglected in favour of candidates with foreign qualifications for high-paid jobs, reinforcing feelings of inferiority among local talented candidates.
5. Brain/Brawn Drain: Although colonial mentality is not the only reason for the emigration of millions of natives to far-off western lands in search of a better quality of life, its role in brain drain cannot be over-emphasized. The best minds and talent leave the country, depriving it of their potential contributions and creating a social, economic, and political leadership void at a time when they are needed most for its progress.
6. Cultural Erosion: Perhaps the biggest manifestation of colonial mentality is the adoption of foreign values and practices over traditional ones leading to a loss of cultural identity. This erosion affects various aspects of life, including food, shelter, clothing, entertainment, beliefs, and behaviour, ultimately leading to a rootless society ignorant of its cultural heritage. Tragically, globalisation is reinforcing the colonial mentality as all its drivers namely the transfer of technology, movement of capital, goods & services, and movement of people through media-print, electronic and social, are affecting the various aspects of the culture of every country- For example, look at the way it is affecting the various facets of our cultural identity

Food: We have not only abandoned the ingredients of our traditional food but also their recipes, cooking techniques, and table manners. This shift is not inherently bad, but the shame we feel when eating our native dishes in public is troubling. Fast food has rapidly taken over our culinary landscape, popularizing items like the Big Mac, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, and Coca-Cola, often at the expense of our rich culinary heritage.

Shelter: Our architectural and interior design practices have similarly been influenced. We are constructing low-roof, windowless buildings with glass exteriors in regions where temperatures soar into the 40s degrees Celsius for almost half the year, ignoring the practical and efficient traditional designs suited to our climate.

Clothing: The way we treat traditional attire versus Western fashion is telling. Individuals in traditional dress often face disdain in public spaces, while those in brands like Armani are treated with respect and admiration, highlighting a deep-seated bias rooted in colonial mentality.

Entertainment: Western music, cinema, and literature are increasingly eroding the foundation of our cultural identity. We are becoming a rootless nation, disconnected from our centuries-old entertainment traditions and cultural practices.

Beliefs: Our attitudes towards various issues are being reshaped, often aligning more with Western perspectives than with our own traditional values and beliefs.

Behaviour: There is a noticeable effort to mimic Western behaviour in our daily lives. Unfortunately, we often adopt their negative habits while neglecting the positive aspects of their culture, further perpetuating a sense of inferiority and cultural loss.

Impediments to Socioeconomic and Political Development

1. Economic Dependence: The preference for foreign goods over domestic products leads to economic dependence on other countries. This dependence hampers the growth of local industries, reduces employment opportunities, and perpetuates economic instability.
2. Cultural Erosion: The adoption of foreign cultural practices over traditional ones leads to a loss of cultural identity. This erosion affects various aspects of life, including food, shelter, clothing, entertainment, beliefs, and behaviour, ultimately leading to a rootless society ignorant of its cultural heritage.
3. Social Inequality: The educational duality and preference for foreign qualifications create and perpetuate social inequality. Those with access to foreign education and qualifications are seen as superior, while those without are marginalized, leading to social stratification.
4. Political Instability: The brain drain resulting from colonial mentality leads to a leadership void, making it difficult for the country to develop stable and effective political institutions. This instability further hinders socioeconomic progress and development.

Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Colonial Mentality

While we cannot reverse all the trends of colonial mentality, we can bring about cultural revitalization, a sort of rebirth of cultures dismantled during the colonial era. The following steps can be taken to mitigate its adverse effects:

1. Promoting Local Products: Encourage the consumption of locally made goods and services by highlighting their quality and benefits. Government policies can support local industries through subsidies, tax breaks, and marketing assistance.
2. Cultural Revitalization: Revive traditional knowledge, values, and lifestyles that are in sync with the demands of a new globalized world. Promote cultural pride and heritage through education, media, and public celebrations.
3. Educational Reforms: Reform the education system to value and incorporate local languages and knowledge systems. Ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of the medium of instruction.
4. Combating Skin Prejudice: Launch awareness campaigns to challenge and change beauty standards that favour lighter skin. Encourage the acceptance and celebration of natural skin tones.
5. Retaining Talent: Create opportunities and incentives for talented individuals to stay and contribute to their home country. Provide competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment for innovation and growth.
6. Media and Representation: Use media to portray positive images of local culture and achievements. Challenge stereotypes and promote diverse representations of beauty, intelligence, and success.

Conclusion

Colonial mentality, deeply rooted in the history of colonization, continues to impede the progress of post-colonial states by fostering economic dependence, cultural erosion, social inequality, and political instability. While reversing all the trends of colonial mentality may not be possible, we can mitigate its adverse effects through cultural revitalization, educational reforms, promotion of local products, and retention of talent. By valuing and incorporating traditional knowledge, values, and lifestyles into the modern context, we can create a society based on equality, liberty, and mutual aid, ultimately fostering a sense of pride and identity among formerly colonised peoples.