We are often told "Colonialism is dead." Let us not be deceived or even soothed by that. I say to you, colonialism is not yet dead. How can we say it is dead, so long as vast areas of Asia and Africa are unfree?
And, I beg of you do not think of colonialism only in the classic form which we of Indonesia, and our brothers in different parts of Asia and Africa, knew. Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, intellectual control, actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation. It is a skilful and determined enemy, and it appears in many guises. It does not give up its loot easily. Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one which must be eradicated from the earth. . . .
President Sukarno of Indonesia, Bandung Conference 1955
Essay: Write an editorial for your local newspaper in your country. Pick a date (since independence, if applicable) that somehow makes sense to pick. Characterize your country’s experience with colonialism or subjugation to external powers. Is or was your country dependent on another nation for economic or political legitimacy? How might this impact poverty in your country?
You may write this with a particular stance or perspective in mind…that’s the interpreted part of the history. But to be persuasive, you acknowledge complexity.
To elaborate…
You will need to have an excellent sense of the history of your country, and in particular, any history pertaining to either formal colonialism or what might be known as neo-colonialism. Also, you will need to form an opinion about that history (that will be informed by the readings we've done all term). Was the colonial/neo-colonial experience wholly exploitative? evil? Was it simply misguided? Was it, in fact, a positive for your country? Has all contact with richer/more powerful nations been, as Sukarno characterizes it, with an enemy? Has the role of the westernized cosmopolitanism intellectual elite of your people been positive or negative?
Consider this assignment to be kind of a preliminary draft of the Country Briefing, due later in the term. You might want to look ahead to that assignment so you can target your research for this project toward that paper.
Other details:
Length: 500-600 words (word count does not include footnotes and bib).
Heading: name, word count.
Title: Include one like they do in newspaper opinion pieces.
Include formal footnotes and bibliography for evidence from your research. See the library or my website or see me if you are in doubt as to how to cite a source for a footnote or a bibliographic entry.
You should have a minimum of five sources that were not assigned for the class. Citations from the assigned readings should identify the author and title and BOTH page numbers (reader and the particular document's).
I have a page on this website to guide you to all my research handouts.