I take colonization as a concept even further. It started with civilization, which produced hierarchy, classes, domination, privatization and ownership of the commons. And that led to colonized mentalities, where people accepted being dominated, having what was long theirs stolen from them--freedoms, cultures, religions, lands, foods, seeds (Monsanto/Bayer has been brutal to indigenous farmers.)
I'd argue that today, modern corporations and the billionaires who run them have colonized we, the 99%. But Yellowbird doesn't want to go there. Indigenous people have had their cultures destroyed, their lands stolen, massive percentages of their people killed. He wants to see de-colonization that leads to return of what was theirs, and I respect that.
Still, Gina Harris, at the end of the conference wove a circle to close the event, asking what each of us, the attendees, would do to de-colonize.
Some spoke of learning more about colonization. Others spoke of educating others. A number spoke of taking action to learn more about indigenous wisdom and practices. I think that indigenous wisdom--particularly how to relate to nature and each other-- and history--the history of the murder of indigenous peoples and the theft of their land--should be taught at every grade level.
Personally, I found that the conference made me even more aware of my white male privilege, in a culture where white patriarchy still offers powerful advantages. This was heightened when I raised my hand to ask a question after professor Yellowbird had finished speaking. The meeting organizer handed me the mike. But then, a woman of color spoke out, and suggested something along the lines, "In the spirit of Occupy Wall Street, where progressive stack was created because white men usually go first, I suggest that women or people of color be allowed to go first."
Frankly, for a few moments I was sort of mortified. 'What did I do? I was just going to ask a question.' But I'd been to Occupy and knew what she said was true. So I went along and got in line behind a woman of color who went ahead of me. A few more women lined up behind me. I waved them to go ahead of me. Once the initial awkwardness of this public putting me in my place wore off, it felt good to step back.
After a few women had spoken, two took the microphone, and smiling, handed it to me. After the session I thanked the woman who'd made the suggestion. Later, the next day, I joined her for lunch and thanked her again. "You seemed like someone who could handle it," she replied.
When it was my turn to speak, and I was holding the metaphorical talking stick, my answer to what I'd do about de-colonization was that I'd be more aware of my white male, patriarchal privilege and do what I could to balance things.
What will you do? What are you doing? How will YOU De-colonize our world?
By the way, Managing Editor, Meryl Ann Butler, has a series on Omega, here,
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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